Geoparks Blend Geological Heritage, Education, and Sustainable Community Development

Thumbs up from Liew (centre) and others at the Mt Kinabalu-shaped Cake-Cutting Ceremony to mark the 2nd Anniversary of Kinabalu Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark. On her left is Lintar, and next to him is Prof Emeritus Dr Ibrahim.

23 May 2025

KOTA KINABALU : Geoparks are more than just attractions for locals and tourists; they represent a development model that integrates the conservation of geological heritage, public education, and the sustainable socio-economic growth of local communities.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, shared these insights during her address at the opening ceremony of the Malaysia Geoparks Network Conference, themed “Geopark – A Catalyst for Sustainability”, held at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday evening.

She emphasised that geoparks embody a holistic development concept that unites environmental preservation with economic progress.

“Through the geopark model, we learn that environmental conservation and economic development can indeed go hand in hand. Geoparks are not only fascinating destinations, but also educational hubs for understanding the Earth’s history, local culture, and the principles of sustainability.

“They are not merely prestigious designations; they carry immense responsibility. Geoparks play a crucial role in protecting geoheritage, fostering environmental awareness, and contributing to local economic development through ethical geotourism,” she stated.

The Minister noted that Malaysia’s geopark initiative has grown significantly since Langkawi was recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2007—the first in Southeast Asia to achieve such status.

This progress continued with the success of the Kinabalu Geopark in Sabah, which was declared a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023, placing Malaysia among the nations with more than one internationally recognised geopark.

In addition to these two UNESCO-designated sites, Liew highlighted that Malaysia currently has 12 national geoparks recognised by the National Geoparks Committee, each showcasing unique geological features, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.

“This achievement reinforces Malaysia’s position on the global stage in geoheritage conservation and advances sustainable development both nationally and internationally,” she said.

Given Malaysia’s rich geology, cultural diversity, and varied ecosystems, Liew stressed the tremendous potential for designating additional geoparks in the future.

She called on all stakeholders to continue supporting the effective management of geoparks.

“Local communities, in particular, can serve as ambassadors for their respective geoparks, promoting and safeguarding these natural treasures. I also urge the private sector to invest more in sustainable, ethical, and responsible geotourism.”

This year marks the second anniversary of Kinabalu Geopark’s designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Despite this recognition, Liew reminded stakeholders that significant challenges remain.

These include limited human and financial resources, low public awareness of geoheritage value, unregulated development, and the need for improved coordination among government agencies and local authorities.

“It is for this reason that Sabah Parks organised the Malaysia Geoparks Network Conference—to bring together experts from various sectors across the country to share their experiences and insights in geopark management,” she said.

Liew added that the conference, which also welcomed three delegates from the Russian Federation, serves as a platform to build and strengthen cooperation among relevant stakeholders, as well as to identify key issues and formulate a national strategy for sustainable geopark development.

Also in attendance were Chairman of Sabah Parks Peter Lintar, Director of Sabah Parks Dr Maklarin Lakim, Vice-President of the Global Geoparks Network Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Ibrahim Komoo, Senior Principal Assistant Director of Sabah Parks (International Relations) Dr Nasrulhakim Maidin, Deputy Director of the Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG Sabah) Jenneth Liliana Cyril, and Senior Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) Dr Dayang Siti Maryam Datuk Hj Mohd Hanan.