Summing up Workshop of the Sub-committee for Viet Nam UNESCO global geopark 2019

 
There were representative leader of Viet Nam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral resources, the secretary committee of National committee for UNESCO (Natcom), Management boards of UGGps and Aspiring geoparks in Viet Nam and leading geological scientists participating at the Workshop. Mr. Tran Tan Van, Head of Viet Nam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral resources, Ministry of Environment and Mineral resources chaired the workshop.

In 2019, the Sub-committee cooperated with the international consultant to support the development of geoparks network in Viet Nam. Some of the achievements can be listed such as the support to the organization of the “International Conference on sustainable tourism development through geopark model” in Cao Bang province; supporting Dak Nong Aspiring geopark in receiving the Evaluation mission from UNESCO; assisting Ly Son-Sa Huynh aspiring geopark in completing its UGGp application dossier; and supporting the participation at GGN and APGN regional activities of UNESCO global geopark network. 
 

For the 2020, the Sub-committee will continue to cooperate with international consultant and related agencies to support the development of UNESCO global geopark network of Viet Nam, in which priorities would be given to the communication and education to improve the participation of communities in the development of geopark model in Viet Nam. Particularly, the proposal on implementing the visitor-fee collection mechanism for Management boards of UGGp in Viet Nam. 

The Management board of Non nuoc Cao Bang UGGp suggested the Sub-committee to continue its support in implementing the project on the geopark territory extension to include Cao Bang city to use it as the foundation for the implementation of the visitor-fee collection mechanism as well as the preparation for the revalidation mission of UNESCO in 2021.

In addition, in 2020 the Sub-commission planned to consult the Government of Viet Nam to establish the National Council for Geological heritage in order to increase the legal status of UNESCO global geopark council network of Viet Nam; issue the list of criteria for National geopark. This would be an important step for aspiring geoparks to meet criteria of a UNESCO global geopark.