Governor of North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution, is preparing the revalidation report for the Toba Caldera UNESCO Global Geopark for the year 2025. He is determined to reclaim the coveted green card status. “This year, we are striving to regain the Green Card. As we discussed earlier, there are four recommendations that we need to follow up on,” Bobby stated during the Revalidation Meeting for the Toba Caldera UNESCO Global Geopark at the North Sumatra Governor’s Office on Monday, June 30, 2025. The meeting was attended by seven regional heads, including the regents of Samosir, North Tapanuli, Toba, Simalungun, Dairi, Karo, and Humbang Hasundutan, along with leaders from the North Sumatra provincial government and other vertical agencies.
During the meeting, it was reported that UNESCO had provided four recommendations for the Toba Caldera. These include the need for ongoing research and geological mapping, enhancing visibility throughout the geopark with easily understandable information panels for the public, strengthening the existence of cultural heritage, and encouraging the management body to actively organize national and international events. Bobby also urged all regions and related agencies to continue educating the community about the importance of preserving this heritage. He highlighted concerns raised by local leaders regarding the community’s habit of burning around geosite areas, emphasizing the need for collective attention. “Therefore, education must continue, and support from law enforcement is necessary,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Togu Santoso Pardede, Director of Energy, Mineral, and Mining Resources at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, noted that the geopark is an official UNESCO program established in 2015. Geoparks possess valuable geological heritage, geodiversity, biodiversity, and cultural diversity. It is essential to understand, protect, and cherish the heritage found across the seven districts surrounding Lake Toba. “Currently, there are 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) in 50 countries worldwide. The highest number of UGGps is in China with 49, followed by Spain with 18, Indonesia and Italy with 12 each, and Japan with 10,” Togu stated.
Togu emphasized that UGGps are expected to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sustainable geotourism. Additionally, economic activities driven by local communities not only create jobs and income but also raise public awareness about sustainable management of our planet’s heritage. Azizul Kholis, General Manager of the Toba Caldera UNESCO Global Geopark Management Agency (BPTCUGGp), announced that the revalidation of Toba Caldera will take place from July 21 to 25, 2025. Assessors and validators are expected to arrive via Silangit Airport and will visit several locations in the Lake Toba area, including Taman Eden, as well as Samosir to inspect various geosites. They will also travel to Merek-Sipiso-piso-Tongging and return to Medan.
Validators/assessors scheduled to attend include Jose Brilha from Portugal and Jeon Yong Mun from South Korea. During the event, Governor Bobby Nasution, along with the seven regional heads from the Lake Toba area, will sign a commitment statement supporting the revalidation and sustainable management of the Toba UNESCO Global Geopark.
