Closing Ceremony of the 8th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium

Tuesday - 19/11/2024 10:01
After more than a week of events, the 8th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network in Symposium 2024, themed "Local Communities and Sustainable Development in Geopark Regions," officially concluded on the afternoon of September 15
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Delegates attending the closing ceremony of APGN 8 Conference in Cao Bang.
Attending the closing ceremony were Mr. Jin Xiaochi, Vice Chair of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network Executive Board and Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific UNESCO Global Geoparks Network; Mr. Guy Martini, Secretary-General of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network; and Mr. Dao Quyen Truong, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Affairs, and Secretary of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO.
 
On behalf of Cao Bang Province, attendees included Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Be Thanh Tinh, Head of the Provincial Party Committee’s Propaganda Department; Mr. Trinh Truong Huy, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; along with leaders from various departments and sectors.
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Mr. Jin Xiao Chi, Vice President of the Executive Board of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, Coordinator of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network for the Asia-Pacific region, spoke at the closing session.
In his closing speech, Mr. Jin Xiaochi, Vice Chair of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network Executive Board and Coordinator for the Asia-Pacific UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of Vietnam, central and Cao Bang provincial authorities, the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark Management Board, and the team of volunteers for their thorough preparations and support, which ensured the successful organization of the symposium with many meaningful activities. He noted this accomplishment was especially significant given that Cao Bang and other parts of Vietnam were facing challenges from the impacts of Typhoon Yagi.
 
The symposium program included sessions of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, meetings of the Executive Board, Coordinating Committee, and Advisory Board; the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network; thematic sessions and workshops, among other activities, with 800 delegates from 19 countries in attendance. Over the past three days, the sessions featured lively presentations on geopark activities, contributing to the sharing of knowledge, experiences, and recommendations from their respective geoparks to strengthen mutual learning. Notably, the sessions included the participation of young people who shared their activities and contributions to the development of geoparks. These individuals represent the hope for the future of geoparks in the region and globally, aiming to achieve sustainable development goals in the future.
 
Alongside the main activities of the symposium, field activities, site surveys, memoranda of understanding, and agreements were signed to strengthen future cooperation between geoparks. These meaningful activities contribute to promoting the work of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in the Asia-Pacific region in the coming years.
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Delegates performed the ceremony of signing the Cao Bang Declaration.
Along with congratulating the success of the Smposium, Chairman of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network Mr. Nikolas Zouros expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and people severely affected by super typhoon Yaagi. overland into Vietnam and Cao Bang province. He affirmed: The 8th APGN Conference is one of the most successful symposium organized by the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in recent years. Calling on members of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in the Asia-Pacific region to continue their efforts, promote and support each other so that the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in the Asia-Pacific region becomes stronger on future journeys.
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Awarding Certificates to members with many contributions to the UNESCO Global Geopark Network.
At the closing ceremony, the Cao Bang Declaration - an international document was signed and announced. The Declaration affirms the important role of geoparks in the region and globally in promoting sustainable development and maintaining a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. The Cao Bang Declaration recommends that all relevant stakeholders, local and regional authorities be represented in the management process of the UNESCO Global Geopark. Emphasizing the need to preserve and promote local languages, ethnic minority languages ​​and related knowledge in the Geopark area. Emphasize the need to preserve and promote local languages, ethnic minority languages ​​and related knowledge in the Geopark area. Emphasizing the importance of "people-centered", promoting the role and ownership of local communities, especially ethnic minorities, to participate in determining conservation and promote Geopark areas. Affirming that geological, biological and cultural diversity are closely related and interdependent. The declaration once again affirms that the UNESCO Global Geopark plays an important role in promoting and contributing to the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, especially in poverty reduction, quality education, partnerships for climate goals, action, climate change mitigation, inequality reduction and gender equality.
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Mr. Guy Martini, Secretary General of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, read the Cao Bang Declaration.
The Declaration calls for collaboration between the Asia-Pacific Geopark Network, the Global Geopark Network and other regional networks of the Global Geopark Network, with the overarching goal of establishing a comprehensive framework for Geopark conservation and sustainable development, building a long-term vision for the Global Geopark Network. At the same time, seek solutions to enhance knowledge exchange and policy recommendations for best practices, promote risk management and disaster mitigation programs in Geoparks and increase Strengthen education and capacity building programs to empower youth in the conservation and development of the Geopark.
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Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh, Head of the Organizing Committee of APGN 8 Symposium spoke the closing speech.
Speaking at the closing of the 8th APGN Symposium, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh expressed his thanks for the attention of the Government leaders, ministries, branches, localities and especially the coordination of the National Committee. UNESCO Vietnam as co-chair of the Conference; Thank you to the Council and Executive Board of the Global Geopark Network, the Advisory Board of the Global Geopark Network in the Asia-Pacific region, members of the Advisory Board, the Scientific Council and all delegates. Members of the global Geopark network have joined hands to create the success of the 8th APGN Symposium.
 
Affirming that the 8th APGN Symposium was a great success with many important decisions of the Global Geopark Network and the Asia-Pacific Geopark Network; Find many useful solutions and experiences in the work of building and developing the designation of Geopark according to UNESCO criteria. Believe that the valuable experiences and sharing at the conference contribute to solving current global challenges, especially enhancing the responsibility of local governments and people in preserving and promoting the value of natural resources, types of heritage and natural resources for sustainable tourism development.
The results of the 8th APGN Conference demonstrate the members of the global Geopark network’s sense of responsibility and the determination and efforts of Cao Bang province in preserving and sustainably exploiting heritage values in the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark.
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Representatives of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network presented decisions to the Geoparks recognized as UNESCO Global Geoparks in 2024.
On this occasion, the Symposium Organizing Committee awarded Certificates to members with many contributions to the UNESCO Global Geopark Network; awarding decisions to the Geoparks that have just been recognized as UNESCO Global Geoparks in 2024... Cao Bang Province carries out the ceremony of handing over the flag to host the 9th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in the Asia-Pacific for Langkawi Geopark,Malaysia.
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Cao Bang provincial leaders handed over the flag to host the 9th APGN Symposium to Langkawi Global Geopark (Malaysia).
The Organizing Committee awarded prizes to the winners of the 8th APGN Symposium's beautiful photo contest, in which: First prize went to the work "Dedication of making incense" by author Seiya (Japan); Second prize, work "Small happiness of elderhood" by author Alia Iaikarova, from Toratau Geopark (Russia); Third prize, work "The Tay people's traditional weaving craft" by author Phan Xuan Tuyen (Cao Bang - Vietnam). Awarding prizes in the "Learn about Vietnam Geopark Network" contest, in which the first prize went to Sarawak delta geopark (Malaysia); second prize Do Thi Yen Ngoc (Vietnam); third prize Nur Balquis Hannah (Malaysia).
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Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Trinh Truong Huy awarded first prize to delegates participating in the Contest "Learning about the Vietnam Geopark Network".
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Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department Be Thanh Tinh awarded the second prize to the author participating in the Photo Contest about the 8th APGN Symposium.

 

Author: The Management Board of the Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark

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