Annual Conference of Technical Sub-Committee for Vietnam UNESCO Global Geoparks 2023

Attending the Conference was the presence of Mr. Dao Quyen Truong, Deputy Director General of Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO, Member of Secretariat of Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO; Mr. Trinh Hai Son, Head of Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Head of the Technical Sub-Committee for Vietnam UNESCO Global Geoparks; Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Director General of the Department of Social, Natural and Human Sciences, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Mr. Tran My Dung, Deputy Director General of the Vietnamese Geological Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, representative leaders and officers of the Geopark Management Boards Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Dak Nong and Lang Son Provinces and national geological scientists.
 

On the sidelines of the Conference, a friendship volleyball competition was organized. The Conference participants also took part in a field survey at geosites on 04 tourism routes in Lang Son Geopark from 17-19 July, and the Workshop on Geopark Management in Viet Nam in the new context on July 19^th.

At the Conference, the Technical Sub-Committee for Vietnam UNESCO Global Geoparks assessed the activities implemented in the first 6 months of 2023, exchanged the activities of Geoparks such as management structure, human resources, development model, etc. Beside achievements, the representatives of the Geoparks mentioned difficulties and obstacles in the management and operation of the Geoparks, shared the experiences in preparing application dossiers for UNESCO Global Geopark Designation.
 

At the Conference, the representatives of Dong Van Karst Plateau UGGp, Non nuoc Cao Bang UGGp, Dak Nong UGGp and Lang Son Geopark presented reports on difficulties and achievements in the geopark development; shared some issues related to overload in tourism development, geopark education, conservation and promotion of heritage, geoheritage potentials, etc. promotion of heritage values and UGGp label. In general, the Vietnamese Geoparks have gained a number of achievements regarding conservation and promotion of heritage values, contributing into the local socio-economic development, fostering international integration, enhancing the local and national position in multilateral cooperation mechanisms. 

The annual Conference of the Technical Sub-Committee for Vietnam UNESCO Global Geoparks helps strengthen the networking among members of the Sub-Committee, cooperation in experience sharing for the gradually effective management and development of Geoparks. Thereby, aiming at developing a single effective model of geopark management, matching with an international designation.
 

Closing the Conference, Mr. Trinh Hai Son, Head of Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources and Mr. Dao Quyen Truong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO agreed on tasks in need of implementation by the Gepark Management Boards: For difficulties in the management structure, human resources and limited power of Geopark Management Boards, the Geopark Management Board should suggest Provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee readjust staff positions, empower the Management Boards and involve in the geoparks’ activities. Suggesting PPCs building a complex for scientific researches, events, conferences and accommodation for scientists associated with a cultural park in each Geopark; developing Geoparks into public administrative unit independent in finance and increasing management power; deploying the Plan on virtual tour guides at geosites to facilitate visitors.
 

For Cao Bang, currently, the Province is focusing its all sources to prepare for the 8^th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium in 2024. This will be an opportunity for the province to learn experiences from other localities for the development of Non nuoc Cao Bang UGGp, at the same time, promote local economic, cultural and social development in the context of regional and international integration. The Organizing Committee of the annual Conference handed over the Annual Conference flag for Non nuoc Cao Bang UGGp.