The hosts of the Press Conference

The Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh; the Deputy Foreign Minister, Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc co-chaired the Press Conference.

The 8th Asia Pacific UNESCO Global Geoparks Network Symposium 2024 themed "Local/indigenous people and sustainable development in Geoparks" will be held from September 5 - 17 in Cao Bang province. The symposium is expected to have the attendance of about 800 - 1000 international and domestic participants.

The Deputy Foreign Minister, Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc speaks at the Conference.

Speaking at conference, Deputy Foreign Minister, Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc said that the APGN Symposium is alternately held every two years in a typical country in the region with the goal of sharing and exchanging experiences on the construction and development of a global geopark title. With positive contributions in the Network, in 2022 in Thailand, Cao Bang province of Vietnam was honored to be awarded the right to host the APGN-8. Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National Committee for UNESCO and the People's Committee of Cao Bang province have coordinated closely and effectively to well prepare for the Symposium. The symposium will be even more meaningful when it is held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Global Geopark Network. 

Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed that the symposium is an important event for APGN members, researchers, managers, and scholars from member countries to have the opportunity to meet, connect, exchange information, and share experiences to continuously improve the construction, operation and promotion of the role of Global Geoparks tied to sustainable development goals. The APGN-8 symposium is not only an event for Cao Bang province but also a festival for localities that own the title of UNESCO global geopark, which contributes to positioning the Northeastern mountainous province in particular and Vietnam's localities in general on the world heritage map. This is both an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and connection and an opportunity to promote Vietnamese localities to the world and bring the world closer to Vietnam.

 The view of the Press Conference

The symposium will provide strong motivation and encouragement to localities in Vietnam in particular and countries in general to participate in the Network. This not only protects the Earth but also creates livelihoods for people to contribute to deepening the message "Vietnam is a civilized, safe, beautiful country with unique culture, rich tradition, dynamic development, friendly and hospitable people that will be a reliable destination for living, studying, traveling, and investing". This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to continue to affirm its active, responsible membership and substantive contribution to UNESCO's common issues.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh speaks at the press conference

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh emphasized that the symposium has a particularly important meaning for Cao Bang as it will be an opportunity for the province to learn and share experiences in building and promoting the value of the Geopark model with countries throughout the world; promote the image, tourism potential, land and people of Cao Bang to domestic and international delegates. This contributes to creating the Cao Bang tourism brand, opening up many new opportunities for Cao Bang tourism, creating a breakthrough for the local tourism industry, and gradually turning tourism into a key economic sector.

The Chairman kindly requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue to orient, direct, and coordinate with the province to prepare the conditions to successfully organize the symposium. He also expressed his hope that domestic and international press and media agencies would continue to accompany and report on activities within the framework of the APGN-8 Symposium.

  The delegates pose for a group photo at the Conference