From September 8 to 15, 2024, the 8th Asia-Pacific Geopark Network Symposium will be held in Vietnam (Cao Bang Province). The theme of the conference was "Local People and Indigenous Peoples and Sustainable Development in Geoparks.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son (Bui Thanh Son) attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech; Yu Hui, Deputy Director of the Nature Reserve Management Department of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration of China, Nikolaos Zouros, Chairman of the Executive Board of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, and many senior assessment experts from the Global Geopark attended the meeting. Geopark representatives from the Asia-Pacific region gathered to exchange experiences, challenges and successful practices in geopark management.
The meeting lasted for 8 days, through a series of special academic exchange meetings, poster exhibitions, geological exhibitions, intangible cultural heritage exhibitions and other activities, to study geoparks and regional sustainable development, education and science popularization, community participation, geological disaster prevention and mitigation, etc., to promote exchanges between geoparks.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Qingshan attended and delivered a speech
Professor Nikolaos Zouros, President of the Executive Board of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, attended and delivered a special report
As a candidate for the recommend of China's World Geopark in 2024, Mt.Siguniang Geopark Administration and Sichuan Geophysical Institute formed a delegation to attend the meeting.
The delegation listened to a number of special reports on the construction, management and development of the World Geopark, and visited the Gaoping World Geopark in Vietnam. Through expert analysis, exchange and sharing, and on-the-spot investigation, we have further studied the latest policy requirements of UNESCO World Geopark, understood the latest construction concept and key points of application for creation of World Geopark, and learned rich experience for the next stage of park construction and orientation work.
During the period, the Mt. Siguniang Geopark delegation also visited relevant leaders of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration and many international experts of the World Geopark, introduced the work of Mt. Siguniang in establishing the World Geopark, and conducted consultations on the current creation problems. Invite leaders and experts to go to the park for evaluation and guidance.
The delegation reported to Yu Hui, Deputy Director of the Nature Conservation Management Department of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration, and took a group photo.
The delegation consulted Nikolaos Zouros (Greece), Chairman of the Executive Board of the Global Geoparks Network
The delegation consulted Zhang Jianping, director of the World Geoparks Council, and Zheng Yuan (China), a senior evaluation expert, and took a group photo.
The delegation consulted and took a group photo of Jin Xiaochi (China), Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board of the World Geoparks Network
The delegation consulted Frey Louis (Germany), World Geoparks expert
The delegation consulted the Rangnes of the World Geoparks Expert Kristin (Norway)
The delegation consulted with the World Geoparks expert, Kanai Furusawa (Japan)
The delegation displayed the geological heritage value and beautiful scenery of Mt. Siguniang Geopark in an all-round and multi-angle way through the distribution of promotional leaflets and commemorative badges. It aims to further broaden its horizons and channels through learning and experience sharing, and better promote Mt. Siguniang. It also warmly invited everyone to visit the Geopark, fully demonstrating the characteristics and style of Mt. Siguniang Geopark, and strengthening the friendship with other geoparks, effectively enhance the park's visibility and international influence.
The delegation shared with geopark experts, scholars and managers
The meeting put forward a new direction for the construction and development of the world geopark.
In accordance with the spirit of the meeting, Mt. Siguniang Geopark will continue to uphold the development concept of "praising the magic of creation and seeking the constant prosperity of the region", centering on the three major themes of "protecting geological relics, promoting the popularization of science, and promoting the sustainable development of local economy" of the World Geopark, we will concentrate our efforts, forge ahead, and do a good job in the construction of ecological civilization in the park, realizing the coordination of economic, social and ecological benefits.
Background knowledge!
Established in 2007, the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) is a regional network organization of world geoparks in Asia and the Pacific, and is an important part of the Global Geoparks Network. At present, there are 213 UNESCO Global Geoparks in the world, of which 84 are members of the Asia-Pacific Geopark Network.
The Asia Pacific Geopark Conference is held every two years. The first six sessions are held in Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Guizhou, Indonesia and Thailand, providing an effective platform for researchers and managers of Geoparks in the Asia Pacific region to exchange and share their experiences.