Years of dedication to research and the management of karst landscapes in Indonesia have led Professor Eko Haryono of the Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Geography UGM), to be appointed to the Governing Board of the International Research Centre on Karst (IRCK) under UNESCO.
This appointment places him among the world’s leading karst experts who help shape the direction of global karst research and management. His term runs from 2025 to 2031 as part of the institution’s periodic rotation.
The trust bestowed upon him also strengthens Indonesia’s position in international scientific forums, advancing karst science and conservation.
IRCK is an international research center established by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources in 2008 and later endorsed by UNESCO to advance knowledge and sustainable management of karst areas.
Professor Haryono’s appointment was based on his active role in global scientific organizations, including his position as Chair of the Karst Commission of the International Geographical Union.
“Members of the Governing Board come from UNESCO representatives, the Chinese government, geological institutions, and top scientists in the field of karst,” he said on Thursday (Dec. 4).
This appointment also serves as recognition of UGM’s role in advancing research and academic capacity in karst studies. Indonesia is increasingly recognized in the formulation of global policies for the protection and management of karst landscapes.
UGM is even regarded as having the most consistent karst research group in Southeast Asia, further strengthening its international standing.
“Because I come from UGM, there is automatic recognition of UGM’s role in the karst field at the international level,” he explained.
As a member of the Governing Board, Professor Haryono has an annual agenda that requires him to present the latest research developments. Every IRCK meeting is accompanied by a training course attended by participants from various karst-holding countries.
In these forums, Governing Board members are expected to deliver scientific materials that reflect current research trends.
“They always present new findings, so I am also required to continuously conduct new research,” he said.
This role also reinforces international cooperation networks that have been built over several years. Currently, Professor Haryono serves as a co-leader of a project initiated by IRCK and funded by China’s Ministry of Science.
Indonesia has also installed spring monitoring networks at two sites in Gunung Sewu Geopark and a proposed geopark in North Kalimantan as part of the global monitoring system.
“Geoparks are chosen because they are UNESCO sites that need to be monitored,” he noted.
For the upcoming term, IRCK has set four main agendas for advancing global karst knowledge.
These programs include organizing training courses, compiling a joint book on global karst management, developing international monitoring networks, and promoting cross-country research collaboration.
Monitoring systems have been installed in karst regions across ASEAN, Europe, and the United States.
“In ASEAN, this network currently exists only in Indonesia and Thailand,” he said.
These international activities also open wider opportunities for UGM students and early-career lecturers to get involved.
Professor Haryono regularly receives quotas to send participants, particularly students of Geographic Information Science and young lecturers from the Faculty of Geography.
Participants from other relevant institutions, such as the Geological Agency and related bodies, also gain opportunities through his recommendations.
“I have sent around five students and five young lecturers since being involved with IRCK,” he said.
His involvement also includes monitoring UNESCO sites associated with karst areas of Indonesia.
At present, five karst geoparks and one world heritage site are under environmental monitoring. These areas include Gunung Sewu, Maros-Pangkep, Raja Ampat, Kebumen, and several other developing locations.
“I am responsible for monitoring the development of these UNESCO sites from an environmental perspective,” he added.
Through this appointment, Indonesia is expected to play a more significant role in advancing global karst management. National initiatives to promote international resolutions on the protection of karst ecosystems demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
UGM’s consistent position in karst research serves as an important foundation for this contribution.
“Hopefully, the management of karst areas in Indonesia will continue to improve,” Professor Haryono concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photograph: Professor Eko Haryono