On the morning of September 9 at the Cao Bang Provincial Conference Centre, the 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) Symposium 2024 with the theme "Local/indigenous people and sustainable development in Geoparks" was officially opened. The event attracted more than 800 domestic and international participants.
The view of the opening session of the APGN Symposium
The opening session of the APGN Symposium was attended by Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc; Deputy Minister, Vice Chairwoman of the Government’s Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs Nong Thi Ha; Leadership representative of provinces of Lang Son, Ha Giang, Dak Nong, Bac Giang, Quang Ninh and Hai Phong; delegates from UNESCO and UNESCO Global Geoparks Network including UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito, UNESCO Representative to Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker, President of the Executive Board of the Global Geopark Network Nikolas Zouros, Vice President of the Executive Board of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, Coordinator of APGN Jin XiaoChi, Secretary General of UNESCO Global Geopark Network Guy Martini.
The event saw the participation of Secretary of Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee Tran Hong Minh; Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Symposium Organizing Committee Hoang Xuan Anh.
Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee speaks at the meeting
In his opening remarks, Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Symposium Organizing Committee Hoang Xuan Anh said that with the theme of “Local/indigenous people and sustainable development in Geoparks” the four-day symposium will find out helpful solutions to building and developing the global geopark title among APGN members, thus contributing to preserving and promoting heritage values towards sustainable development. In recent years, the province has consistently pursued the goal of developing the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark associated with preserving heritage values, environmental resources and traditional crafts, promoting sustainable tourism and education for future generations, and expanding its network of partners, said the Chairman Hoang Xuan Anh.
President of the Executive Board of the Global Geopark Network Nikolas Zouros speaks at the meeting
Thanking Cao Bang Province for warmly welcoming the delegates and organising the symposium meticulously, President of the Executive Board of the Global Geopark Network Nikolas Zouros, emphasised that the challenges posed by climate change require us to think more strongly and concretely to respond to climate change and natural disaster risks. This will enhance the community's capacity to cope with climate change and create a safer world. He suggested that, in the spirit of understanding and friendship, delegates attending the conference would exchange good experiences and new ways of preserving and promoting the value of Geoparks.
Expressing her sympathy for the losses caused by Typhoon Yagi in the northern region and Cao Bang Province in particular, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito, highlighted that the impacts of climate change affect everyone. Collective and persistent efforts are needed to mitigate the effects and damage caused by climate change. Emphasising that the goal of the Global Geoparks Network is to connect and unite through commitments to heritage protection and sustainable development, Brito encouraged symposium participants to enhance exchanges of knowledge and experiences in protecting landscapes, heritage, and cultural identity within geopark areas and promoting sustainable development.
Deputy PM, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks at the meeting
In his speech at the event, Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son shared the losses and suffering experienced by the people in the northern region and Cao Bang Province due to Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath. He urged the localities to address the aftermath of the natural disasters and quickly stabilise the lives and production of the people. He emphasised that in the context of some challenges and difficulties in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the activities of the Global Geoparks Network serve as a "solution" to this global issue. With this spirit, Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son proposed that the symposium’s participants discuss and clarify new cooperation directions, such as determining a comprehensive approach to unify understanding and actions on conserving and enhancing the value of geoparks for sustainable development. He added that the parties within the Global Geoparks Network should promote multilateral partnerships and international cooperation to develop global geoparks in alignment with sustainable development. They should also advance a long-term vision of 5 to 10 years for developing the Global Geoparks Network into a strong international cooperation network, aimed at preserving and enhancing the value of geological heritage, not only for today’s generation’s benefit but for future generations.
The Deputy PM stated: “I look forward to the Cao Bang Declaration being an important document that evaluates the activities of the Network over the past two decades, proposing cooperation directions for the next decade, especially the 10th anniversary of UNESCO's Global Geoparks Programme (2015-2025) next year”.
Delegates pose for a group photo
At the opening ceremony, delegates watched a video about the beauty and heritage values of Non Nuoc Cao Bang UGGp.