From June 29th to 30th, 2023, The 4th Huangshan Dialogue on UNESCO-designated Sites and Sustainable Development was held in Mount Huangshan.
The theme of this conference is "Digital Technology Empowers the Sustainable Development of Listed Heritage Sites". Over 200 delegates, including decision-makers, researchers, managers, and practitioners from more than 10 international organizations and over 20 countries' listed heritage sites, attended the conference to jointly explore the application of spatial technology in the protection and management of World Heritage sites, World Biosphere Reserves, and Unesco Global Geoparks, thereby contributing to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This conference has specially set up a session on the nomination and management of UNESCO-listed properties, aiming to facilitate the identification, nomination, monitoring, evaluation, research, management, and sustainable development of World Heritage sites, World Biosphere Reserves, and Unesco Global Geoparks.
Many cases and technical methods shared during the dialogue have played an enlightening and guiding role in the investigation, research, application, and construction of UNESCO Global Geoparks. Kristof Vandenberghe, Director of the Earth Sciences and Geoparks Division of the UNESCO Ecological Geoscience Department, gave an online report on the application process, construction requirements, and latest developments of UNESCO Global Geoparks.
Huang Hao and Wang Wenting, representatives of the application team for Mt. Siguniang Geopark, were invited to attend the meeting to learn about the latest requirements and developments of UNESCO, and to promote Mt. Siguniang Geopark on behalf of the park.
Huang Hao, on behalf of Mt. Siguniang, delivered a speech titled "Sharing the Geological Value of Mt. Siguniang and the Plan for Applying for UNESCO Global Geopark" at the meeting, sharing the geological relics, biological and cultural resource values of Mt. Siguniang, and reporting on the plan and progress of the application.
Mt. Siguniang is located at or situated within the transitional zone between the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Sichuan Basin. As a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Habitat of Giant Pandas in Sichuan Province, it is home to over 2,000 species of higher plants, including the world's largest natural forest of Hippophae rhamnoides, and is the primary distribution area for Paeonia decomposita Hand.-Mazz., a rare and endangered plant endemic to China. It is also home to over 300 species of vertebrates, including nationally protected animals such as Ailuropoda melanoleuca, Uncia uncia, Rhinopithecus roxellane, takin, and Sclater's pheasant.
Uncia uncia
In addition to its abundant ecological and cultural resources, the Siguniang Mountain area also holds high geological value. Dominated by Extremely High Mountain landform, it features the Songpan-Garzê wedge-shaped orogenic belt, Xiaojin arcuate structural belt, "Xikang-style" folds, "Xikang Group" flysch, and Relics of the Quaternary Glaciers. It serves as a natural geological museum.
Mt. Siguniang
"Xikang-style" fold
Currently, the application for Mt. Siguniang to become a UNESCO Global Geopark is progressing smoothly. It is planned to undergo domestic evaluation this year. The application scope has been designated, and a comprehensive investigation report has been completed. Efforts have been made to enhance the construction of the Mt. Siguniang Geopark Museum, and various activities such as online and offline communication training, science popularization, and work promotion meetings have been conducted, all of which have achieved good results.
After the meeting, the bid team conducted a focused inspection of the Mt. Siguniang Geopark and fully learned from its construction experience, which will be applied to the application and construction of the Mt. Siguniang Geopark in the later stage.