Kebumen Regency Government Welcomes Plan for Karangsambung to Host IUGS-UNESCO 2027
The Kebumen Regency Government has welcomed the plan to designate Karangsambung as the location for activities of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The event, held in cooperation with UNESCO, is scheduled for 18 to 21 January 2027.
The strategic plan was presented during an audience and working visit by the Geological Agency together with the Indonesian National Geopark Committee (KNGI) team in Kebumen. The delegation consisted of the Head of the Centre for Groundwater and Environmental Geology, Ir. Agus Cahyono Adi, as well as KNGI Expert Council member Dr. Rudy Suhendar and Liela Ubaidi.
The delegation was received directly by Kebumen Regent Lilis Nuryani, accompanied by Assistant II Sri Kuntarti and Head of the Tourism and Culture Office (Disparbud) Frans Haidar. In addition, Acting Head of Bapperida Haryono Wahyudi and representatives of the Kebumen Geopark Management Body were also present in the Regent’s office.
Lilis expressed full support for the entire series of activities scheduled for early 2027. According to her, this momentum is very good for strengthening the educational function of the Kebumen Geopark area.
“We from the Kebumen Regency Government strongly support the activities to be held in January 2027. We want the Kebumen Geopark to function optimally as a means of public education. Regarding supporting facilities, accommodation is already available at the Karangsambung Field Campus, and we are ready to provide full support,” said Lilis in a written statement on Friday (28/8/2026).
The meeting discussed preparations to optimise the potential of Kebumen Geopark on the global stage. The IUGS-UNESCO agenda in Karangsambung is expected to be attended by delegates from around 60 countries.
In line with Lilis, Head of Disparbud Frans Haidar stated that his team is ready to welcome international guests. His office will also coordinate intensively regarding the permit process and the arrival of foreign delegates to Kebumen.
The event will be used to exchange views on developments in geoscience, while also introducing the Karangsambung area, which has been designated as a geological nature reserve for the past 20 years. Given the strategic importance of the area, a strong idea emerged to propose Karangsambung as a centre of excellence in the field of geology.
IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences) and UNESCO have long worked closely together in the fields of earth science, geological heritage preservation and the development of global geoparks. IUGS is a non-governmental international scientific organisation in the field of geoscience, founded in 1961 and a member of the International Science Council (ISC).
The organisation, which has more than 121 member countries and represents more than one million geoscientists worldwide, is led by Prof. Hassina Mouri as President for the 2024-2028 period and Ludwig Stroink as Secretary General. The organisation plays an important role in setting global geoscience standards and coordinating cross-border research cooperation.
Indonesia is scheduled to host a series of important IUGS-UNESCO activities centred in Karangsambung (Kebumen Regency) and Yogyakarta in early 2027. The series of events begins with the UNESCO Geopark Event and IUGS Workshop at the Karangsambung Field Campus in Kebumen on 18-21 January 2027.
The activities focus on direct training, dossier preparation and capacity building. In addition, there will be discussions with experts on natural hazard mitigation, renewable energy, climate change and water management.
The agenda continues in Yogyakarta on 21-27 January 2027. It includes a Welcome Reception, IUGS EC Meeting (Open Session), IUGS Gala Dinner at partner hotels, a two-day IUGS/Secretariat Field Trip, and concludes with an IUGS EC Meeting (Closed Session) involving UNESCO, Geopark, IUGS, ministry representatives, and national and international colleagues.
In addition to discussing preparations for the international event, the meeting also touched on the strategic issue of sand mining around the Lukulo River. This environmental problem is an important note that will be discussed more comprehensively in a follow-up agenda with relevant agencies.