The view of the closing session of the APGN-8 Symposium

The event was attended by 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; Vice Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs and UNESCO, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Dao Quyen Truong; Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh; Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Communication and Education Be Thanh Tinh; Vice Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Trinh Truong Huy.

Vice President of the Executive Board of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, Coordinator of APGN Jin XiaoChi speaks at the meeting

In his remark at the closing session of the APGN-8 Symposium, Vice President of the Executive Board of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, Coordinator of APGN Jin XiaoChi, expressed his sincere thanks to the Government of Vietnam, the Government of Cao Bang province, the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UGGp Management Board as well as the volunteer team for carefully preparing and ensuring all conditions for success of the APGN-8 Symposium in a context that Cao Bang and many localities in Vietnam were suffering from typhoon Yagi.

This year's symposium welcomed over 800 participants  including leading scientists, researchers, and experts in the field of geological heritage from 19 countries. Six scientific sessions received more than 160 presentations with a lot of useful information, valuable documents, diverse topics from promoting and preserving geological heritage values, cultural heritage values to global geopark activities associated with sustainable development goals.

The delegates worked very actively and effectively to complete the program and set goals. In addition to the main activities during the symposium, field activities and trips took place and memorandums of understanding and agreements to strengthen future cooperation were signed between geoparks. Those meaningful activities contribute to promoting the activities of the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network in the time ahead.

Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh speaks at the event

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh said that the APGN-8 symposium was honored to have the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, Assistant Director General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the National Committee UNESCO Vietnam Ha Kim Ngoc attended and spoke in the opening session. He also expressed his gratitude that the event received the companionship of the Vietnam National Committee for UNESCO, the Global Geopark Network, leaders from UNESCO and representatives of relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and localities. The outcomes of the APGN-8 symposium demonstrate the responsibility of the global geopark network members and the determination and efforts of Cao Bang province in preserving and sustainably exploiting heritage values of Non nuoc Cao Bang UGGp.

President of the Executive Board of the Global Geopark Network Nikolas Zouros sent a video congratulating the success of the symposium. He also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the people severely affected by typhoon Yagi in Vietnam in general and in Cao Bang province in particular. He affirmed that APGN-8 is one of the most successful conferences organized by UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in recent years. He called on APGN members to continue to promote and support each other so that APGN becomes stronger on future journeys.

The APGN Council awarded certificates to 8 members who have contributed greatly to the development of UNESCO Global Geoparks Network

At the event, Secretary General of UNESCO Global Geopark Network Guy Martini awarded certificates to 8 members who have contributed greatly to the development of UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. Vietnam's Dak Nong Global Geopark was honored to be one of the 8 awarded members. 

Delegates perform the signing ceremony of the Cao Bang Declaration

On behalf of all delegates, Guy Martini read the full text of the newly passed Cao Bang Declaration. Accordingly, the Cao Bang Declaration highlights the role of local or indigenous communities in the geopark preservation and management with the goal of socio-economic development in parallel with preserving cultural identity, landscape, and natural environment. The participants called for for further actions to materialise initiatives at local, regional, and international levels, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive framework for the conservation and sustainable development of geoparks, and building a long-term vision for the network. Participants also emphasised the need to protect and promote all local or indigenous languages, as well as the existing knowledge systems within the territory of the geoparks. In order to enhance the empowerment of local communities and attract more visitors, the network identifies, protects, and optimises the use of intangible heritage to tell stories about geological processes, history, culture, as well as the rituals and beliefs of locals. The Cao Bang Declaration stressed the important role of geoparks in the implementation of 17 goals set in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially those on poverty reduction, quality education, and stronger partnerships for climate action, inequality reduction, and gender equality.

Leaders of Cao Bang province presents the hosting flag for the APGN-9 to Langkawi Global Geopark (Malaysia)

At the end of the ceremony, Vice President of the Executive Board of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, Coordinator of APGN Jin XiaoChi announced that Malaysia's Langkawi global geopark is the next member to win the right to host APGN-9 in 2026. Representatives from Langkawi Geopark were honored to receive the symposium hosting flag from Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh.