Sulselexperience, Online — The Management Board of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGP) Maros-Pangkep held a coordination meeting to discuss various preparations towards the UNESCO revalidation which was scheduled to take place in 2026.
This meeting is the first step to ensure that the Maros-Pangkep Geopark still meets the standards and criteria as part of the Global Geopark UNESCO network.
This activity was opened directly by the General Manager of Geopark Maros-Pangkep, Dedy Irfan, and was received by Maros Deputy Regent, Andi Muetim Mansyur, who also served as Chair of the Maros Regency Revalidation Working Group (Pokja). (06/08/2025)
Revalidation of UNESCO Global Geopark itself is an evaluation process carried out every four years by UNESCO on the status of world geopark. The aim is to ensure that the region is still carrying out its main function in the conservation of geological heritage, community education, and the development of local economic economic -based on sustainable tourism.
On this occasion, Dedy Irfan stressed the importance of the involvement of all parties in facing this revalidation process.
“We are committed that the preparation of this revalidation can continue to develop from the previous year. However, for now we first focus on studying the scheme, then compiling concrete steps going forward,” he said.
The meeting agenda discussed a number of important points, including the technical arrival of the UNESCO assessor team, the readiness of supporting documents, and the strategy of strengthening the capacity of the site geopark spread across the Maros and Pangkep regions.
Meanwhile, Deputy Regent Maros Andi Muetimz Mansyur said that currently the local government has received an official support letter from the Governor of South Sulawesi regarding the revalidation process. He emphasized that the importance of collaboration between local governments and geopark managers in strengthening Maros-Pangkep’s position in the world geopark arena.
“We have received a letter of support from the governor, and in January 2026, we have to prepare and send important documents to UNESCO. For this reason, we are currently compiling the format while conducting an initial study,” he said.
Andi Muetimzi also added that his party was identifying sites that need to be renewed or even added as part of the revalidation assessment.
“Our task is to determine where the location of the site will be re -recorded. Maybe there is a new site that will be added. Therefore, I as the Chairperson of the Working Group still ask for direction to the geopark manager to continue to help our area,” he said.
He asserted, all elements of society and stakeholders must move together in preparing this process, so that the evaluation results from UNESCO can later have a positive impact, both in terms of nature conservation and the economic development of local communities
