Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark (KUGGp) status has been extended for another four years, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
He said the state received the green card three months ago, confirming the extension of Mount Kinabalu’s recognition under the Unesco Global Geoparks network.
Jafry was responding to concerns over whether the proposed High Altitude Training Centre on Mount Kinabalu would affect its Unesco status.
“No. In fact, we received the green card just three months ago, which approved another four-year extension for Mount Kinabalu’s status,” he told reporters after launching the state-level World Environment Day celebration here.
He said the proposed centre would involve minimal development due to the challenges of transporting construction materials up the mountain.
“It would not involve extensive construction or major infrastructure development on the mountain.
“Transporting materials up the mountain is challenging, so only small materials that can be carried up will be used. Therefore, the development will be kept to a minimum,” he said.
Jafry added that the ministry was expected to provide further details on the proposed centre.
The Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark, located in north-western Sabah, was officially recognised by Unesco in 2023.
The recognition made Sabah one of the few places in the world with three Unesco designations: a World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve and Global Geopark.
