Unesco Boost for Langkawi

LANGKAWI: The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has agreed to make Langkawi a geopark reference centre for South East Asia, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Khalid Ramli said, here today.

He said this agreement was tabled during the 4th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) San’in Kaigan Symposium held in Tottori city, Japan earlier this month.

According to him, the international organisation’s gesture came as an additional boost for Langkawi as the island was accorded a green card rating for its efforts to retain its status as a Unesco Global Geopark.

Langkawi was mentioned by the UN body as a dynamic and vibrant geopark, he said in a press conference to announce the achievement here today.

According to him, the latest validation on Langkawi’s status would synergise with the recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to make it as Malaysia’s first low carbon island by 2030.

Meanwhile, APGN Coordinator, Prof Emeritus Dato’ Dr Ibrahim Komoo said the geopark reference centre would function as a training facility by geopark aspiring groups. – Bernama