KUCHING: Sarawak is on a benchmarking visit to Jeju Island, a Unesco Global geopark (UGGp), to learn about its management and other relevant initiatives and projects.
Led by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the delegation is seeking to learn about how South Korea manages Jeju Island, particularly on community involvement activities, governance, socio-economic development and geotourism.
“We have a lot to emulate from Jeju Island UGGp, especially on local community involvement, as well as the importance of geo-branding projects, which include agriculture, food, souvenirs and Jeju Geo Trail Festival,” he said.
“We have shared views and knowledge on geopark management; fostering closer relationship through Geopark Sistership Exchange with Jeju Island UGGp; and promoting Sarawak Delta Geopark (SDGp) and Sarawak’s intention to obtain UGGp status,” he said in a statement, Saturday.
The visit was part of the process of preparing a dossier for SDGp nomination; for obtaining the UGGp status; with Sarawak having to learn, share, and gain experiences and ideas from sites that have been recognised as Unesco Global Geoparks.
Jeju Island was chosen as Sarawak was impressed with its achievement and recognition as Unesco’s coveted “Triple Crown,” as a Biosphere Reserve, World Natural Heritage and Global Geopark.
Therefore, Sarawak hopes to learn about how this environmental treasure can be preserved and at the same time improve the socio-economic status of the local population.
The visit includes briefings by the UGGp managers as well as on SDGp, discussion sessions, and field visits to the gallery, geo-site, bio-site, cultural heritage site, community projects, among others.
Sarawak, he said, was committed to implementing sustainable development that will take into account socio-economic development and environmental protection.
Thus, Sarawak had nominated Sarawak Delta as the first geopark in the state in 2019 while the National Geopark Committee agreed to endorse the site as the sixth national geopark last year.
Among those who have joined the visit to South Korea from June 14 to 20 are Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his deputy Datuk Snowdan Lawan; Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee of Sarawak Delta Geopark.
