Cao Bang Declaration - Spreading responsibility to solve global challenges
Tuesday - 26/11/2024 16:03
The 8th Asia-Pacific symposium Geopark Network marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network (GGN) with the mission of preserving “Memory of the Earth”, promoting the humane relationship between humans and nature. On September 15, 2024, at the closing session of the 8th APGN Symposium, the "Cao Bang Declaration" was adopted, promoting the Geopark to step up a new ladder of sustainable development and contributing to spreading responsibility for solving global challenges in the face of new changes.
Cao Bang has a culture rich in national identity.
In recent years, the Party Committee, government, and people of all ethnic groups in Cao Bang province have synchronously implemented solutions to preserve and promote heritage values in the UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark. After the period of building and developing the Geopark from 2015 to present, Cao Bang tourism industry has shown many signs of improvement with a rapid and stable growth rate from the implementation of the UNESCO Global Geopark model. In the first 9 months of 2024, the whole province welcomed more than 1.6 million tourists, an increase of 11% over the same period, of which international tourists were estimated at 36,065, an increase of 63% over the same period. Revenue from tourism activities in the province is estimated at more than 1,276 billion VND, an increase of 24% over the same period, reaching 85% of this year's plan. Thanks to its efforts in implementing recommendations and actively participating in GGN activities, UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark is highly appreciated by GGN members in its operations to conserve and promote the values of geological and cultural heritages, indigenous knowledge of ethnic minorities to harmoniously resolve the relationship between humans and nature. With that trust, Cao Bang is honored to be chosen as the host of the 8th APGN Symposium.
Opening of the Symposium.
Ms. Lidia Brito, Assistant Director General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences, said: Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark is a model of effective cooperation with UNESCO and Vietnam is a proactive and active member country, always putting forward strategic initiatives and recommendations on common issues of UNESCO. On the eve of the 8th APGN Symposium, we witnessed Cao Bang and many northern provinces suffering heavy damage caused by super typhoon Yagi. Therefore, to realize the mission of the Geopark along with sustainable development, it is urgent to develop an action program on combating climate change and minimizing risks to protect the Earth and humanity." Facing new challenges on global issues, the GGN Council and its members issued the Cao Bang Declaration with 8 contents including new perspectives that actively promote Geoparks to implement recommendations of GGN and UNESCO. It emphasizes the necessary of preserving and promoting ethnic minority culture and indigenous knowledge in the Geopark area; recommends "people-centered", especially ethnic minorities, to participate in preserving and promoting Geopark area.
Mr. Guy Martini, Secretary General of GGN read the Cao Bang Declaration at the 8th APGN Symposium.
Sharing about the significance of the Cao Bang Declaration, Mr. Guy Martini, Secretary General of GGN said: In the face of complex and unpredictable developments of climate change, more than ever, the APGN community is fully aware of the urgency of protecting the Earth's environment and nurturing a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. The Cao Bang Declaration has affirmed the important role of local communities in preserving heritage values in the UNESCO Global Geopark region and at the same time encouraged GGN members to connect, cooperate, and participate in international forums for the goal of sustainable development, peace and prosperity for humanity. After the 8th APGN Symposium, the Council and GGN members continued to actively carry out propaganda activities to raise public awareness about the conservation and preservation of geological heritage values and national cultural identities in the Geopark region, typically: Discussion to learn about UNESCO's commitment to promoting geological diversity and sustainable development at UNESCO headquarters; Online workshop on the topic "Gender equality and geological diversity" organized by UNESCO Khorat Global Geopark (Thailand) and UNESCO Merangin Jambi Global Geopark (Indonesia); International workshop "Combating forest fires in the era of climate change" in Chile. According to Mr. Guy Martini: To raise awareness and effectively implement scientific knowledge education about the earth for the young generation, it is necessary to promote and diversify activities to learn about the values of biological, geological, archaeological, architectural heritage and the potential for sustainable tourism development. Thereby, harmoniously solving the issue of socio-economic development associated with the responsibility of protecting the heritage values of the Geopark, protecting natural resources and the enviroment.
Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark (Ha Giang) responded to the International Day for Geodiversity and Disaster Risk Reduction 2024.
With the birth of the Cao Bang Declaration, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh believes that valuable experiences and sharing in the work of building and developing the designation of Geopark according to UNESCO criteria will contribute to solving current global issues, especially enhancing the responsibility of local authorities and people in preserving and promoting the value of heritage types and natural resources for sustainable tourism development.
The traditional incense making profession in Phja Thap village, Phuc Sen commune (Quang Hoa) is preserved and promoted by the young generation.
The Cao Bang Declaration received enthusiastic response and high consensus from GGN members, contributing to spreading the responsibility to solve global challenges. Thereby actively contributing to the work of preserving, maintaining, promoting unique heritage values and strengthening cooperation between geoparks in socio-economic development, tourism, promoting the development of the UNESCO global geopark network to a new level.
Author: The Management Board of the Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark