Jambi (ANTARA) - Merangin Geopark in Jambi won the Best Practices Award 2023 of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) Awards held in Morocco.

General Manager of the Merangin Geopark Management Agency Agus Zainuddin, in a statement received here on Monday, stated that the Best Practices Award 2023 was an achievement and an award for the dedication of the entire Merangin Geopark team and the people of Jambi.

"Merangin District in Jambi, Indonesia, really caught the world's attention at the event. Merangin's name, in particular, was raised at the international conference," he remarked.

Zainuddin said that the team of the Merangin Geopark had struggled to make the Merangin Geopark known to the world.

He also thanked the Serampas customary people, who have supported the development of Merangin Geopark.

"Thank you, Serampas customary people," he stated.

He believes the achievement is truly extraordinary. He recalled that in 2014, the attempt to propose Merangin as a geopark recognized by UNESCO had met with a roadblock.

With the long journey, Merangin Geopark in Jambi is currently part of the UGG.

Furthermore, Zainuddin also expressed his gratitude for the efforts and roles of related parties that have assisted Rantau Kermas Village, customary villages, renewable energy villages, and energy-independent villages in carrying out good practices.

These villages are models of sustainable development conducted by the community, he highlighted.

He affirmed that this achievement belongs to all Indonesian people, the people of Jambi Province, and especially all communities in Merangin District. For this reason, he invited the local community to continue to welcome and embrace all local wisdom.

He expressed optimism that the Merangin Geopark, as a UNESCO-recognized geopark and local tourism asset, would provide economic benefits to the community.

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Translator: Tuyani, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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