By DayakDaily Team
Langkawi, Sept 9: The Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) and Indonesia’s Meratus UNESCO Global Geopark have formalised a bilateral partnership aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation in heritage conservation, sustainable tourism and community development.
The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony held at the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC) on Sept 8.
The agreement marks the first international partnership for Sarawak Delta UGGp since it received its UNESCO Global Geopark designation on April 24, 2026.
Meratus UGGp, located in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark on April 17, 2025.
With both geoparks situated on the island of Borneo, the partnership is seen as an important step towards fostering greater regional collaboration in protecting geological, natural and cultural heritage while promoting sustainable development and improving opportunities for local communities.
According to a media release today, the two geoparks will strengthen cooperation based on mutual respect, reciprocity and equality, in line with UNESCO’s collaborative approach to geopark development.
Collaborative activities will be carried out progressively, taking into account the respective priorities, resources and capacities of both geoparks.
The areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU include heritage conservation, community empowerment, sustainable tourism, education and training, as well as research.
The partnership will also facilitate the exchange of knowledge, technical expertise and best practices between the two geoparks.
Such exchanges are expected to enhance the capacity of both geoparks while creating greater opportunities for communities, tourism operators, researchers and other stakeholders.
Sarawak Delta UGGp was represented at the ceremony by Irmadiana Ardi on behalf of Datu Hamden Mohammad, Director of the Forest Department Sarawak and Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark manager.
Meratus UGGp was represented by Iwan Fitriady, head of the Tourism Department of South Kalimantan, on behalf of the Meratus UNESCO Global Geopark Management Board, Indonesia.
Also present was Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Julin Alen. – DayakDaily
