Global Network of National Geoparks

12 countries confirm attendance for Asia-Pacific International Geopark Conference

Source :Http://www.globalgeopark.org Source: Xinhua Published :September 12, 2007

 

Twelve countries have confirmed attendance for the Asia-Pacific International Geopark Conference in northern Malaysia's resort island of Langkawi in November to discuss integrated efforts to set up more geoparks in the Asia-Pacific region.

The United States, Russia, Australia, China, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia and Thailand are among countries that will be sending some 300 delegates for the 3-day conference beginning from Nov. 13.

Langkawi Development Authority general manager Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani said delegates would be exposed on the significance of the Langkawi Geopark recognized as the best among the 50 geoparks by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"We will highlight the uniqueness of Langkawi Geopark comprising a cluster of 99 islands," the national news agency Bernama quoted Kamarulzaman as saying.

Langkawi received UNESCO recognition on June 1.

This was the first time Langkawi has been given the honor to host the conference to popularize the tourist haven as the first geopark in Malaysia and in Southeast Asia, Kamarulzaman said.