LANGKAWI: Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) and Jeonbuk West Coast UNESCO Global Geopark in South Korea have formalised a strategic partnership to strengthen cooperation in geopark management and sustainable development.
The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange witnessed by deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Julin Alen at the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC) on Tuesday (Sept 8) in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) Symposium.
The Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) said the MoU establishes a formal framework for the two geoparks to collaborate in advancing their respective territories as regional hubs for education and training, conservation, community empowerment and sustainable tourism.
“This collaboration inspires the Sarawak Delta UGGp to study and learn from Jeonbuk West Coast’s pioneering experience as a Multi-Internationally Designated Area (MIDA).
“Alongside its status as a UNESCO Global Geopark, Jeonbuk West Coast holds three other prestigious, overlapping global environmental designations: UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Ramsar Wetland Site.
“These overlapping designations represent a concentration of world-class ecological, geological, and biological values within a single landscape.”
FDS added that under the MoU’s terms of exchanging management practices and facilitating joint research, Sarawak Delta Geopark stands to gain crucial insights from Jeonbuk’s highly refined approach to MIDA Integrated Management.
Meanwhile, director-general of the Environment and Forest Bureau of Jeonbuk State Soon Teag Lee said he was pleased with the partnership and looked forward to strengthening cooperation between the two geoparks.
“I have learned so much during this APGN symposium and deeply appreciate Malaysia’s beautiful landscapes. We are very happy about this partnership with Sarawak Delta and look forward to building a better future together.
“I warmly hope the Sarawak Delta team will visit Jeonbuk in the future to explore our geopark firsthand.”
Sarawak Delta UGGp was represented by Irmadiana Ardi, on behalf of FDS director cum Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark manager Datuk Hamden Mohammad.
