Minister Begins Preparations for Ijen Geopark Revalidation as UNESCO Global Geopark

Tourism Minister Widhiyanti Putri Wardhana has begun preparations for the revalidation of Ijen Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) by holding a coordination meeting with relevant stakeholders in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java. “Our agenda today is to discuss preparations for the Ijen UNESCO Global Geopark revalidation, which will take place from 3 to 7 August 2026. The success of maintaining this status is our shared responsibility,” she said while chairing the meeting at the Banyuwangi Regency Pendopo on Saturday. Minister Widhiyanti stated that the target of this revalidation is to maintain the green card status, thus requiring stronger coordination so that all UNESCO assessor recommendations can be followed up. To maintain the green card status and ensure the continuation of the UNESCO Geopark network designation established in 2023, she noted that stronger coordination is needed to follow up on all assessor recommendations, including strengthening the promotion of geological heritage. “As the best Geopark in Indonesia, I am confident that Ijen Geopark will be able to maintain its green card status in the UNESCO Global Geopark assessment,” she said. Meanwhile, Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani conveyed that the Ijen UGG has been managed with a spirit of preserving heritage, revitalising culture, and fostering prosperity without sacrificing sustainability. “For us, this recognition is not the finish line, but a mandate to continue preserving nature, improving the quality of education, strengthening community empowerment, and developing the local economy sustainably,” she stated. “We have implemented the recommendations through collaboration between the regional, provincial, and central governments,” she added. The coordination meeting for the Ijen Geopark revalidation as a UNESCO Global Geopark was also attended by Bondowoso Deputy Regent As’ad Yahya Syafii, General Manager of Ijen Geopark Abdillah Baras, Head of Alas Purwo National Park Probo Resni Aji, and Head of RKW 14 Kawah Ijen of the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency Rusdi Santoso, as well as officials from the Ministry of Tourism. This year’s UGG revalidation is a comprehensive evaluation that every Geopark network must undergo every four years to ensure international standards continue to be met. The evaluation results will determine a green card (maintained), yellow card (two-year improvement period), or red card (revoked) status.