Malaysia To Lead Asia Pacific Geopark Network
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NETWORKING… (from left) Unesco GGN committee member from Ireland Dr Patrick McGeever, Unesco Assistant Programme Specialist Dr Margarete Patzak, Unesco Expert Group and GGN Bureau member Prof Datuk Dr Ibrahim Komoo, Unesco GGN committee member from Greece Prof Dr Nickolas Zouros, Prof Dr Ross Dowling from the Edith Cowan University of Australia and Unesco GGN committee member from China Prof Dr Zhao Xun at the forum on the formation of the Asia-Pacific Geopark Network. Pix: Anuar Isman |
LANGKAWI, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The Langkawi Geopark has been unanimously voted by 20 countries to lead the Asia-Pacific Geopark Network, said Unesco Expert Group and Global Geopark Network (GGN) Bureau member Prof Datuk Dr Ibrahim Komoo at the closing of GGN's First Regional Conference at the Mahsuri International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIEC) here today.
Ibrahim told Bernama that even though Malaysia only has one Geopark in comparison to China, the Langkawi Geopark exhibited good geological components coupled with a harmonised management system and strong academic and research support.
"We need one country to champion it in the beginning. It does not mean by funding, but we need one country to take the initial responsibility to get the network up and running, to lead it. And that country is Malaysia," said Prof Dr Ross Dowling from the Edith Cowan University of Australia during the forum at the end of conference.
According to Ibrahim, the conference was a resounding success as it received the commitment from all the 20 countries participating to create the Asia- Pacific Geopark Network.
"The commitment from other participating countries is important because with the Asia-Pacific Geopark Network, we can develop our own system which will allow the development of Geoparks throughout the region at a faster pace," said Ibrahim.
The Asia-Pacific Geopark Network will be divided into two different organisations, an advisory organisation in which all the Asia-Pacific countries can join and the proper network itself that will be exclusive to countries that already have Geoparks.
The advisory organisation's responsibilities lies in promoting, provide support systems, encourage and advance the development of Geoparks as well as decide on the time and place of the next Geopark Conference.
For the time being only three countries are members of the proper network which are Malaysia, China and Iran although Ibrahim is very confident that the membership will grow rapidly.
Ibrahim also informed Bernama that by the end of November the Langkawi Geopark will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China's Funiushan Geopark located in the Heinan province.
According to Unesco Assistant Programme Specialist Dr Margarete Patzak, two more Geoparks in China might be announced in the near future.
-- BERNAMA
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