Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg (fourth left) striking a gong to open the international seminar on the Sarawak Delta as an aspiring Unesco geopark in Kuching.
KUCHING: Work is ongoing to see that Sarawak Delta Geopark achieves Unesco global geopark status by 2026, says Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
He said the state was in the process of getting experts from Unesco to assess the site's geological value.
"This is one of the criteria to be met. If we can fulfil (the requirements), there is a possibility that our geopark will be brought to the Unesco board to be considered for listing as a Unesco global geopark," he told reporters after opening an international seminar on the Sarawak Delta as an aspiring Unesco geopark here on Monday (Oct 7).
Abang Johari said the benefits of Unesco recognition included education, environmental preservation and tourism.
He said the geopark was not only rich in geodiversity but also biodiversity and habitats to be protected.
This in turn would attract tourists who appreciate nature and will not damage the environment, he added.
The Sarawak Delta Geopark, which covers an area of 3,112sq km in Kuching, Bau, Padawan and Siburan, was recognised as Malaysia's sixth national geopark in 2022.
Its diverse geological landscape includes mountainous regions, isolated hills and river deltas, while the local communities there have a rich cultural heritage.
Malaysia currently has two Unesco global geoparks, Langkawi and Kinabalu.
A Unesco global geopark is a single unified geographical area where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
State Natural Resources and Urban Development Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Abdullah Julaihi said a letter of intent had already been submitted to the Unesco secretariat for the Sarawak Delta to be recognised as a Unesco global geopark.
He said the geopark's management team was now in the advanced stages of preparing the necessary documentation, including the application dossier.
"This is a crucial step in our application process, ensuring we meet the strict criteria set by Unesco," he said.
Abdullah also said a long-term development and management plan had been drawn up for the Sarawak Delta Geopark up to 2040.
"It is a comprehensive document that outlines the policies and strategies necessary to ensure that the Sarawak Delta remains a sustainable and well-managed geopark for decades to come," he said.
