NATURAL HERITAGE
INGENIEUR
NATURAL HERITAGE
INGENIEUR
New Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark
By Cheo Hong Keyong
UNESCO named Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark as one of the 18 new geopark sites in the Global Geoparks Network
The year 2023 marks another milestone for Malaysia when the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO ) named Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark as one of the 18 new geopark sites in the Global Geoparks Network during the 216 th session of UNESCO ’ s Executive Board on May 19-23 , 2023 . This brings the total number of geoparks to 195 in 48 countries .
Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark is also among the seven new sites which are Indonesia , Malaysia , the Philippines and Thailand , making a notable contribution to the region ’ s engagement with the UNESCO Global Geoparks programme and the sustainable future of people and nature . It is also Malaysia ’ s second UNESCO Global Geopark .
Before this , Langkawi was endorsed as the 52 nd Global Geopark by UNESCO on June 1 , 2007 , making it the first geopark in Malaysia and the
South East Asia region . This endorsement was given due to its significant geoheritage features like landscapes , caves , sea arches and sea stacks , dropstones , fossil and local community involvement .
In fact , Malaysia has eight National Geoparks but to date only Langkawi Geopark and Kinabalu Geopark are listed as UNESCO Global Geoparks .
Malaysia ’ s eight National Geoparks are :
● Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark
● Lembah Kinta Geopark
● Jerai Geopark
● Mersing Geopark
● Kinabalu Geopark
● Lenggong Geopark
● Labuan Geopark
● Sarawak Delta Geopark Created in 2015 , the UNESCO Global
60 VOL 95 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2023