Tuaran’s Geological Features, Biodiversity, and Cultural Heritage to be Included in KUGGp

A Geo-Sulaman Scientific Expedition (EGOS 2025) conducted in April 2025 showed that Tuaran has distinctive geological features, rich biodiversity, significant cultural heritage and a supportive community to be included in the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGGp).

KUGGp covers 4,750 square kilometres across three districts - Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Ranau. The geopark remains in UNESCO’s list following UNESCO’s Revalidation Mission conducted by its evaluators, Dr Zhang Yuanhai and Dr Atsuko Niina, in August 2026.

All UNESCO Global Geopark undergoes a revalidation process every four years to maintain international recognition to ensure that geoparks continue to meet UNESCO’s standards, principles and responsibilities. Sabah has replaced the park’s Interim Management Plan 2021–2025 with a new Management Plan 2026-2035.

“The new Plan integrates the geopark’s principal pillars - resource conservation, research, education and socio-economic development and will be implemented in three phases: foundation-building, acceleration and transformation, guided by nine strategic themes toward 2035,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, said on 14 August 2026 at the closing ceremony of the KUGGp Revalidation Mission at the Rumpun Bajau Sama Cultural Centre in Lok Batik, Tuaran.

“Let us commit to converting international recognition into stronger conservation, improved education, resilient communities and fairer economic opportunities for the community.”

KUGGp’s new plan includes key committees, namely, Infrastructure and Community Empowerment; Conservation and Geotourism; Tourism and Promotion; and Networking and Collaboration. KUGGp has also expanded its programmes to include the Geopark Outreach Programme and Geopark Camp, and the Park has strengthened collaboration with industry players, site operators, educational institutions and key stakeholders through the Geopark Partner and Geopark School initiatives. KUGGp aims to focus on local development needs and to prioritise community capacity-building.

“The Park’s new programmes are important steps toward building skills, creating livelihoods and broadening opportunities for local communities,” Hajiji said. “UNESCO recognition must deliver more than international prestige, it must also create meaningful, sustainable opportunities to benefit the community through responsible tourism and geotourism, community-based enterprises, local product development, cultural experiences, education, skills training, employment and participation in decision-making.

The growth in KUGGp must include expanding market access, strengthening local entrepreneurship, improving infrastructure and ensuring communities are active partners in shaping development, and not just passive beneficiaries.”

By 2035, Sabah targets that KUGGp will attract greater global recognition as a model of integrated landscape management, a place where conservation, community well-being and sustainable prosperity reinforce one another, Hajiji added. “This approach aligns with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 development plan for 2026-2030, which aims to drive a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable Sabah while ensuring development contributes to the welfare of our people, the CM said.