The UNESCO Green Card must have a real economic impact on the community
Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution of North Sumatra emphasized that the UNESCO Green Card status, which the UNESCO Global Geopark Toba Caldera (TCUGG) has successfully maintained, must have a real economic impact on the community.
He made this statement during a meeting with the TCUGG management team in the Tengku Rizal Nurdin Hall, the official residence of the governor at Jalan Sudirman No. 41 in Medan.
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“The key is how we can ensure that the Green Card status, which we have achieved today thanks to our joint efforts, actually generates positive added value. First, of course, for our tourism, through an increase in the number of visitors. Second, the community must experience the direct economic benefits,” said the governor.
During the meeting, the governor also expressed his appreciation for the hard work of all parties involved who ensured that the Toba Caldera successfully retained its UNESCO status. He emphasized the importance of a balance between tourism development and ecological sustainability in the Lake Toba region as a top destination.
“Our region is one of the answers to the future of tourism that preserves the balance in nature,” he added.
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Meanwhile, Azizul Kholis, General Director of the Toba Caldera Geopark, reported that the reaffirmation has been officially recognized by UNESCO and that the certificate of approval has been issued. Although the trip to France was hampered by the global geopolitical situation and flight restrictions, the legal validity of the document has now been officially recognized.
Azizul also outlined the preparations for the Geopark Festival and the development of a new tourist route (Geo-Trail) that will launch on July 1, 2026. Unlike the previous route, which centered around the Parapat area, the management is now connecting the northern and southern tourist centers via Haranggaol, Porsea, and Simalungun.
Moreover, TCUGG presented various successes in the field of international cooperation, including a financing program for the strengthening of the local community, in which nearly 2,000 trees were planted in the caldera area.
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The management also plans to develop an integrated international tourist route connecting Lake Toba directly with Phuket in Thailand. Additionally, the establishment of Asia’s first research center for geoparks is being explored, supported by a global network of experts and the Agency for Research and Innovation.
These efforts are expected to strengthen the position of the UNESCO World Geopark Toba Caldera as a world-class destination and create opportunities for North Sumatra to host an international geopark forum in 2029. ***REL
