By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Geoparks go beyond beckoning locals and tourists to visit these destinations, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
This is because geoparks are a development concept that integrates the preservation of geological heritage, public education, and sustainable socio-economic development of communities.
She said this at the opening of the Malaysia Geoparks Network Conference themed “Geopark – A Catalyst for Sustainability” at a hotel here.
“Through the geopark concept, we learn that environmental conservation and economic development can actually move hand in hand.
Hence, she said geoparks are not just interesting areas to visit, but also for education about the history of the earth, local culture, and the value of sustainability.
“Geoparks are not just a recognition, but they also carry great responsibility. This is because they play an important role in protecting geoheritage, fostering environmental awareness, and contributing to the economic development of local communities through ethical geotourism,” Liew said.
She noted that the concept of geoparks in Malaysia has grown rapidly since the recognition of Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark in 2007, which was the first geopark in Southeast Asia to receive such recognition from UNESCO.
She said this development continued with the success of Kinabalu Geopark in Sabah which was recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023, making Malaysia among the countries with more than one international-class geopark.
In addition to these two UNESCO-listed geoparks, Liew noted that Malaysia now has 12 national geoparks that have been recognised by the National Geoparks Committee, each of which features its own unique geology, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
“This effort strengthens Malaysia’s position on the world stage in the field of geoheritage preservation and empowers sustainable development at the national and global levels,” she said.
Given the unique geology and culture as well as the diversity of ecosystems in our country, she said that this phenomenon provides great potential for more areas to be developed as geoparks in the future.
Liew called on all relevant parties to continue their support for more effective geopark management.
“Local communities in particular can be ambassadors for their respective geopark areas in promoting and preserving these natural treasures. For the private sector, I would encourage more investment in sustainable, ethical and responsible geotourism.”
This year (2025) marks the second anniversary of Kinabalu Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Despite this geopark recognition, Liew reminded all stakeholders that there are still many challenges that they need to face together.
Among the main challenges confronting efforts in the development of a geopark, she said, are human and financial resource constraints, lack of public awareness of the value of geoheritage, uncontrolled development, and the need for better coordination between government agencies and local authorities.
“It is for this reason that the Sabah Parks Management organised this Malaysia Geoparks Network Conference to bring together experts from various sectors from across the country to exchange their views and experiences in managing geopark areas,” said Liew.
This Conference (participated by three delegates from the Federation of Russia, too) can also build and strengthen a network of cooperation between relevant parties, and identify issues and challenges in forming a national strategy towards more sustainable geopark development, she added.
Also present were Sabah Parks Chairman Peter Lintar, Sabah Parks Dr Maklarin Lakim, Global Geoparks Network Vice-President Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Ibrahim Komoo, Sabah Parks Senior Principal Assistant Director (International Relations) Dr Nasrulhakim Maidin, Mineral and Geoscience (JMG Sabah) Department Deputy Director Jenneth Liliana Cyril, and Senior Assistant Secretary to the Ministry KePKAS Senior Assistant Secretary Dr Dayang Siti Maryam Mohd Hanan.
