To strengthen communication, learn from and draw upon experiences, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the assessment workflow for UNESCO Global Geoparks, from July 1st to 5th, 2023, the application team jointly formed by the Mt.Siguniang Geopark Administration and the Sichuan Geophysical Survey and Research Institute visited the Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark for investigation and exchange, fully participating in the mid-term assessment of the Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark. The application team gained a deep understanding of the advanced concepts and experiences of UNESCO Global Geoparks in geological heritage protection, science popularization and research, infrastructure construction, cooperation and exchange, etc. This visit will help promote the application work for the Mt. Siguniang Geopark.
The scene of the debriefing meeting
The mid-term assessment of the Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark lasted for four days, encompassing four parts: a meeting, a report meeting, a field visit, and a feedback meeting. The application team, accompanied by Ms. Martina Paskova, Mr. Xi Yi Ono, and domestic experts, visited the Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark Museum, the "Golden Spike" of Guzhang Stage, the Liesi Fauna, the Qingzhu Mountain Tea Garden, the Guzhang Red Stone Forest, the Furong Ancient Town, the Aizhai Primary School, the Aizhai Bridge, the Big Data Center, the Shibadong Village, and the "Golden Spike" of Paibi Stage, to gain a detailed understanding of the management and construction status of each inspection site.
Evaluation experts inspect the Geopark Museum
Evaluation experts inspect the "golden spike" of the Guzhang stage
Evaluation experts inspect Furong Ancient Town
Evaluation experts inspect the Aizhai Bridge
Evaluation experts inspect the big data center
Mt. Siguniang Apply for the Unesco Global Geopark team communicates with domestic experts
Mt. Siguniang Apply for the Unesco Global Geopark team
Communicate with leaders from the Forestry Bureau of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture and the Management Office of Unesco Global Geopark
On the morning of July 5th, the mid-term evaluation feedback meeting for the Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark was held in Jishou City, and the Mt. Siguniang Apply for the Unesco Global Geopark team was invited to participate.
Feedback session on site
At the meeting, the evaluation experts, Ms. Martina Paskova and Mr. Shuichi Ono, gave positive feedback on the overall construction of the Xiangxi Unesco Global Geopark and provided valuable suggestions on the detailed work related to geopark management, popularization of geological heritages, and the integration of geological ecology and humanities.
Cheng Mengni from the Nature Reserve Management Department of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Li Linshan, Deputy Director of the Hunan Provincial Forestry Bureau, and Liu Dongsheng, Deputy Governor of the Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture People's Government, attended the meeting and made statements.
During this inspection and exchange, the application team gained experience in the application, construction, and management of UNESCO Global Geoparks, understood the latest requirements of experts for the evaluation of UNESCO Global Geoparks, and strengthened the friendship between geoparks, laying a good foundation for the establishment of sister parks with Mt. Siguniang in the future.
Mt. Siguniang Geopark will benchmark the construction and management model of excellent UNESCO Global Geoparks, summarize the key and difficult points in the application, further enhance the quality of Mt. Siguniang Geopark's application for UNESCO Global Geopark status, and efficiently promote the next steps of work.