KUCHING: Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said today the state government is targeting 2026 for the 3,112 sq km Sarawak Delta Geopark to be recognised as a Unesco geopark site.
He said a number of processes were underway for the submission of an application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) secretariat for the recognition.
"There are a number of qualifications for the geopark to be recognised as a Unesco site, one of which is we need experts from Unesco to look at the heritage value of the geopark," he said after opening a seminar on "Aspiring Sarawak Delta Unesco Global Geopark".
He said the processes were similar to what the state government had gone through when it listed the Mulu National Park caves as an archaeological site.
Johari said the state government would use the Jeju Island in Korea as a model to fulfil the conditions for recognition as a Unesco geopark site for the Sarawak Delta Geopark.
"We want the experts from Unesco to study the quality of the geopark, for example, in terms of tourist attractions.
"So when the tourists, who love nature, and geologists, come, they will not spoil what is in the Delta geopark."
He said when he was a tourism minister, the emphasis was not on mass tourism, but rather quality tourism so that the environment of the national parks was not affected.
He said Malaysia had two Unesco geopark sites, namely Langkawi Island and Kinabalu National Park.
Earlier, Natural Resources and Urban Development Ministry's permanent secretary Datuk Abdullah Julaihi said the ministry was in the advanced stages of preparing documentation for the Unesco recognition.
He said a letter of intent and an application dossier had been submitted to the Unesco secretariat.
"This is a crucial step in our application process, ensuring we meet the strict criteria set by Unesco."
He added that the Sarawak Delta Geopark Development and Management Plan 2040 served as a long-term guideline for managing this initiative.
"It is a comprehensive document that outlines the policies and strategies vital to ensure that the Sarawak Delta remains a sustainable and well-managed geopark for decades to come."
Abdullah said the development of the geopark, a collaborative effort across multiple sectors, involved a co-management system where local communities, the government and stakeholders worked together towards a common goal, that is, sustainable development and conservation.
He said the Sarawak Delta Geopark was moving steadfastly towards a Unesco Global Geopark recognition, adding that the seminar was part of a broader effort to raise visibility and awareness of the Sarawak Delta Geopark, both locally and internationally.
"Our journey is not just about gaining recognition but also preserving our natural heritage and fostering sustainable socio-economic development for our communities."
Abdullah said as part of a roadmap, the ministry had established a Geopark Management Unit tasked with ensuring better coordination of this initiative.
He said the unit played a key role in conducting awareness and engagement sessions, reaching out to stakeholders, including communities, schools, higher learning institutions and business entities, to ensure they were active participants in this initiative.
Abdullah said signboards across the Sarawak Delta Geopark had been installed, sparking interest among the people.
The Sarawak Delta Geopark, recognised as Malaysia's sixth national geopark, is rich with unique landscapes, including 28 rock geosites, 12 diverse biological geosites and 14 cultural geosites.
It is home to Bornean endemic species like the orangutan, proboscis monkey and fairy rock gecko.
The geopark also celebrates the region's rich cultural heritage, including its building art, musical instruments, weapons and diverse ethnic food.