Bio Farma Aims High With UNESCO Recognition for Geopark

Jakarta. State-owned vaccine-manufacturer Bio Farma will take part in the 7th International Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, known as Unesco, from Sept. 26 to 30 in Torquay, South West England, in an effort to promote its corporate social responsibility activities, the company said in a statement on Monday (26/09).

In a global conference attended by 800 delegates from more than 30 countries, Bio Farma’s representatives showcased the company's CSR activities in Ciletuh Geopark Palabuhanratu in West Java province.

The community development program of Bio Farma has carried out a string of important activities between 2013 and 2015 at the Ciletuh Geopark — the first of its kind — including capacity building, clean water projects, tourism training, development and promotion of eco-friendly batik and health and environmental projects.

R.Herry, head of Bio Farma's corporate social responsibility division, said the programs gives "priority to local content [and] owns excellence in its bio-diversity, geo-diversity and cultural-diversity."

“We are very proud, Bio Farma as the business sector representative has the trust in being a part of  the member of coordination team for the development of Ciletuh Geopark based on the Governor of West Java's decision, together with  stakeholders from Sukabumi district, the representatives of the government, academicians and local communities," Herry said.

“We hope, our support to the community development will accelerate  development target of West Java province and the tourism office to prepare Ciletuh Geopark for recognition by Unesco and as the tourism destination of Wonderful Geopark Indonesia which is also potential revenue for the state," he said.

The CSR activities with Ciletuh in community development involve 40 households, two homestays and 21 micro enterprise.

In line with the company's philosophy, “Dedicated to improve the Quality of Life,” the 125-year-old corporation is considered a pioneer among its Indonesian peers with the project.

Iskandar, president director of Bio Farma, said the parties involved in the Geopark development are typically government or academic institutions.

“Because of that uniqueness,  Ciletuh can be acknowledged as a Unesco Global Geopark. It is not only a Unesco Global Geopark, but also a pilot project for Unesco Global Geopark for its uniqueness with the support from SOE of Bio Farma,” Iskandar said during a visit to Ciletuh.

Bio Farma has been advocating for its Ciletuh CSR activities to be acknowledged as a Unesco Global Geopark, which refers to sites identified by the cultural arm of the United Nations as containing significant geological heritages as well as natural and cultural heritages.

There are currently 120 Unesco Global Geoparks in 33 countries.

“We hope that our support of the community development will accelerate the development of the West Java province and the tourism office to prepare Ciletuh Geopark to be recognized by Unesco and to be the a tourist destination as part of the Wonderful Geopark Indonesia,” he said.

Bio Farma manufactures and distributes vaccines and is one of a few World Health Organization pre-qualified vaccine manufacturers in the world.

Sumber : www.beritasatu.com

http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/press-release/bio-farma-aims-high-unesco-recognition-geopark/