The delegation of Cao Bang province attended the 7th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium in Satun Province, Thailand

From September 4-11, the delegation of Cao Bang province led by Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh attended the 7^th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium (7^th APGN Symposium) in Satun UNESCO Geopark, Thailand with the theme "UNESCO Global Geoparks: Building Sustainable Communities".

The Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium held every two years is the most important event of the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network, attracting many scholars, researchers, and politicians in the region and worldwide to participate in and exchange experiences and initiatives on geopark operation and development. This year, due to the restriction of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Symposium was held in a hybrid manner.

Within the framework of the Symposium were meetings of the UNESCO Global Geopark Council, APGN Advisory Committee, APGN Coordinating Committee, and Youth Forum of Geopark Network, conference sessions, symposium mid-excursion, exhibition and geofair.

On September 6^th, the delegation of Cao Bang province attended the APGN Advisory Committee meeting and presented Candidature dossiers for hosting the 8th APGN Symposium in Cao Bang in 2024. The dossiers was highly appreciated by the members of the APGN AC for the dossier preparation and the potential of Cao Bang province. 100% of the APGN AC members agreed to vote for Cao Bang as the host of 8th APGN Symposium 2024. In the afternoon, the delegation also participated in the APGN Coordinating meeting, contributed ideas regarding the enhancement of the Network activities and voted the new Coordinating Committee members as required.

On the morning of September 7, the delegation of Cao Bang province attended the Opening Ceremony and attended conference sessions from September 7-10. The conference sessions focused on 07 main topics: Sustainable Development Goals in Geoparks; Geohazard Mitigation in Geoparks; Geodiversity and Geoparks; Geoparks: “Sustainable Tourism”; Geoparks: “Education and Interpretation”; Local Wisdom and Cultural Heritage in Geoparks; Aspiring Geoparks. The delegation of Cao Bang province gave 02 presentations entitled " Geotourism for community engagement for inclusive and equitable development" and " Geo-education activities in Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark”. The presentations conveyed the outstanding values and strengths of Non nuoc Cao Bang UGGp as well as the efforts of the province in the operation and development of the Geopark in line with sustainable development, environmental and landscape protection; upholding and bringing to play cultural values, indigenous knowledge, geopark education and public awareness raising activities.

On September 8^th, 2022, Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Management Board met with Khorat Geopark (Thailand) on exchanging and sharing experiences in the management, operation and development of Geopark in accordance with the criteria of UNESCO Geoparks and proposing cooperation potential issues such as Sharing experiences in geopark educational activities in schools, cooperating in joint projects; Sharing experience and cooperation in geotourism development activities; reciprocal visits and exchange of gepark’s staff members, students and partners. After the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue to exchange and suggest issues of mutual interest and cooperation potential towards signing a memorandum of cooperation in the near future.

On the afternoon of September 10^th, the Closing Ceremony marked the end of the Symposium. During one week, many initiatives and good practices regarding the operation and development of geoparks contributing to local development, and raising public awareness were shared. Also in the Closing Ceremony took place the transfer of the flag, Cao Bang was officially announced to be the host of the 8^th APGN Symposium in 2024.

At the margins of the Symposium, the delegation of Cao Bang province met and offered souvenirs to representatives of Satun Province’s government, UGGp Council, APGN AC members. On behalf of Cao Bang province, Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Provincial People’s Committee committed that the province would attempt to bring the 8^th APGN Symposium to success and suggested APGN members continue their support in the development of Non nuoc Cao Bang geopark in accordance with criteria of UNESCO, especially, assisting Cao Bang to successfully organize the 8^th APGN Symposium in 2024.