Workshop on Sustainability Science Demonstration Site: Framework for Action
Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), UKM and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office Jakarta supported by Malaysian Funds-in-trust has successfully organized a Workshop on Sustainability Science Demonstration Site: Framework for Action “Water and Environmental Sustainability in Langkawi.” The workshop was held on 23rd to 25th of November 2015 at The Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spa, Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia. The workshop attended by 65 participants include 8 international participants from Asia Pacific Countries ( Indonesia, Korea, Philiphine, Australia, Cambodia) and 57 local participants from various agencies or department related to water and sustainability in Malaysia, universities, NGOs, private sectors as well as local community in Langkawi. The objective of this workshop was to discuss a sustainability science framework and demonstration sites establishment related to water and environmental sustainability, to engage community and stakeholders who can be involved in the establishment of sustainability demonstration site in Langkawi Geopark, to identify sustainable management plans and policies to harmonize conservation and tourism development in Langkawi Geopark, to propose learning alliances for promoting sustainability aspects of water and environment in Langkawi Geopark and to design a sustainability science demonstration site on water and environmental sustainability linked with ecotourism in Langkawi Geopark. The workshop was officiated by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlin bin Mokhtar, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation Affairs), UKM followed by Prof. Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Director & Representative, UNESCO Office Jakarta. The programme include information sharing and discussion on water and environmental sustainability as well as sustainability science demonstration site in some countries, ecowalk at Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spa and a visit to Langkawi Research Centre (LRC). The workshop officially closed by Mr. Adib Abdul Rahman, Secretary General of Malaysian National Commission of UNESCO (MNCU). On the last day, participants were brought to the site visit along Kilim Geoforest Park and Kota Mahsuri to see issues related to geological, ecological, water, environmental and social-cultural in Langkawi.
Report by Siti Amirah Ishak.