South Sulawesi Governor Optimistic Maros Pangkep Will Maintain Global Geopark Status

Maros Pangkep has been designated a National Earth Park and is officially recognised worldwide as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Makassar (ANTARA) — South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman is optimistic that Maros Pangkep can maintain its status as a UNESCO Global Geopark with the support of stakeholders.

Speaking in Makassar on Monday, Andi Sudirman affirmed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening the sustainable management of the geopark area.

Moreover, he said, the Maros Pangkep area holds value that extends far beyond mere tourism potential.

“Maros Pangkep has moreover been designated a National Earth Park and is officially recognised worldwide as a UNESCO Global Geopark,” the Governor said when receiving a visit from the UNESCO Global Geopark assessor team, Mr Soo Jae Lee of South Korea and Mr Xiaoping Qiu of the People’s Republic of China.

He explained that the geopark is a world heritage containing geological wealth, biodiversity and local culture that must be safeguarded in a sustainable manner.

He invited all regional governments, geopark managers, academics, communities and the wider public to work together to ensure the success of the revalidation process.

“Let us make the most of this 2026 revalidation momentum as a joint effort to maintain Maros Pangkep UNESCO Global Geopark as a world heritage that is the pride of South Sulawesi and Indonesia,” Andi Sudirman concluded.

He also expressed hope that the assessor team could provide constructive input on aspects of the area’s management that still need to be strengthened, so that it continues to improve and meets the required standards.