Green & Geopark Excellence Awards 2025 (GAGA)

What is GAGA 2025?

• GAGA stands for Green & Geopark Excellence Awards.

• It is designed as an annual awards event to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in geopark management, environmental sustainability, conservation, community engagement, and green innovations.

• The event is organized by Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) in collaboration with UNESCO.

• Though it’s called “2025,” the organizers present it as an inaugural or early edition, aiming to set a benchmark in the region for geopark excellence and green practices.

Date, Venue & Geographic Reach

• The award ceremony is slated for 22 November 2025.

• Venue: Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (Langkawi / Padang Matsirat)

• While its focus is very much on Malaysia and ASEAN geoparks, the scope extends to ASEAN + 1 (i.e. including China) to promote cross‐border collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• The organizers plan to include up to 48 global geoparks in the network and invite participants, stakeholders, and experts across the region.

Award Categories & Areas of Recognition

GAGA divides its awards into two broad streams:

1. Geopark Excellence Awards
   These are meant to spotlight excellence in geopark operations, conservation, community involvement, innovation, and climate leadership.
   Some example categories include:

   • Geopark of the Year

   • Outstanding Geopark Management

   • Excellence in Geo-Conservation

   • Innovation in Sustainable Tourism

   • Best Community Engagement in Geoparks

   • Climate Action Leadership in Geoparks

   • Youth-Led Geopark Initiative

   • Sustainable Infrastructure Development in Geoparks

   • Best Cross-Border Geopark Collaboration

   Also, there are “Malaysia-only” subcategories for geopark community, tourism products, marine products, research & education, etc.

2. Green Excellence Awards
   These awards acknowledge exemplary performance in broader environmental, sustainability, and green initiatives (beyond geoparks).
   Sample categories include:

   • Green Organisation of the Year

   • Excellence in Technology Innovation

   • Excellence in Waste Management

   • Best Corporate CSR Project

   • Best Environmental Project

   • Best Renewable Energy Project

   • Community-Led Green Initiative

   • Corporate Sustainability Leadership

   • Plastic Waste Reduction Pioneer

   • Best Green Education Program

   • Biodiversity Conservation Excellence

   • Youth Green Leader Award

   • Green City Award

   • Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Champion

   • Sustainable Business Innovation

   • Best Eco-Friendly Product or Service

   • Best Green Entrepreneurs

   • Best Green Building

Goals, Purpose & Significance

• The core aim is to benchmark excellence — rewarding projects and programs that combine environmental conservation, community development, sustainable tourism, and innovation.

• It encourages collaboration among geoparks, governments, NGOs, academia, private sectors, and local communities.

• The awards also aim to raise public awareness about the value of geoparks, biodiversity, climate action, and sustainable practices in tourism and development.

• By showcasing Malaysia (and specifically Langkawi) as a sustainability leader, GAGA supports the region’s ambition to be a green tourism destination.

• The event also includes a green conference to bring together regional experts, environment groups, and knowledge sharing sessions.

Additional Notes & Current Developments

• A soft launch for GAGA was held (at Frangipani Resort, Langkawi) to generate awareness.

• The event’s organizers expect participation from various bodies across Malaysia — from federal/state agencies to private sector, NGOs, local communities, geoparks, and educational institutions.

• There is a Zero Waste Conference component scheduled in conjunction with the awards, to promote waste reduction and circular economy principles.

• The evaluation and judging will be conducted by a panel of experts from UNESCO, LADA, environmental NGOs, ASEAN networks, and geopark experts. They will assess based on criteria like innovation, impact, community involvement, sustainability, and replicability.

• Geosites within Malaysia (e.g. in Perak, Langkawi, etc.) will be eligible; for instance, Perak’s geoparks (Lenggong, Kinta Valley) are named as possible participants.