Vietnam Geoparks Network attended the 2023 Sum-up Conference of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO

At the Conference, the issues related to Geparks such as the management and promotion of the UNECO Global Geopark label, and the legal framework for heritage protection received attraction from the Conference participants. Particularly, regarding the organization of the 8^th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium, Assoc. Prof. Tran Tan Van suggested collaboration in the organization of the Symposium and the side events and suggested Cao Bang meet with relevant Ministries on their participation in the organization of the Symposium to contribute to elevating the relationship between Viet Nam and UNESCO and to promote the image of Cao Bang in particular and Viet Nam in general.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Don, Director of the Management Board of Dong Van Karst Plateau UGGp gave a presentation on “Developing UNESCO titles/designations under a single management model”, indicating the fact that although possessing a great number of heritage that have contributed to the local socio-economic development, UNESCO Global Geoparks are facing many challenges due to insufficient legal framework of the Law on the environmental protection and Resolution 08/2022 and differences in the management structure of the Geoparks in Viet Nam.

To maintain the UNESCO Global Geopark status and harness the label for the management and protection of the Geoparks according to the criteria of UNESCO, Don suggested the development of a sufficient legal framework by developing laws, resolutions, circulars, etc. to guide the development of a single management model for the Management Boards of the Geoparks in Viet Nam which clarify functions, tasks and powers of the Management Boards.