Meeting of the Organizing Committee for the 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium

The Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) Symposium is the most important event among APGN members carried every two years with the objective to provide the opportunities for APGN members, geologists, scientists and colleagues…to share and exchange their experiences in the operation and management of Geoparks according to UNESCO criteria. The 8^th APGN Symposium will be hosted by Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, Cao Bang Province, scheduled from September 9^th to September 16^th, 2024 and expected to attract the participation of 800-1,000 people from APGN and other territories around the world.

The Symposium will cover many activities and events such as meeting session of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, meetings of APGN Advisory Committee, APGN Coordination Committee, Scientific sessions, bilateral or multilateral meetings among Geoparks for sistership establishment or cooperation, exceptional art performances, picture exhibitions, Geopark fairs, and exhibition of Cao Bang signature products, Cao Bang tourism images to the Symposium participants, Excursions to experience Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, etc.

At the meeting, the Leader of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented Master Plan of the Symposium to the Organizing Committee members, proposed the establishment of the Scientific Committee, the Advisory Committee and working groups: Technical, Communications and Reception and Logistics, drafted the task assignment for the members of the Organizing Committee and working groups. The members of the Organizing Committee spent time discussing and proposed proper inputs for the Master Plan of the Symposium.
The Symposium is also a good chance for the Province to elevate the implementation of the breakthroughs in sustainable tourism development for period of 2021-2025, learn about and exchange experience in the Geopark management and development with other Geoparks and territories in the world, enhance the promotion and open up new opportunities for Cao Bang tourism, gradually transforming the local tourism into a spearhead economic sector. At the same time, the Symposium is a chance for the Province to affirm its capacity of hosting big international events.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee strongly stated that the Symposium has a significant importance. It is an opportunity for Cao Bang to learn and exchange experience in developing and harnessing the Geopark model with other countries in the world and a good chance to promote Cao Bang tourism image to domestic and international delegates, contributing to the successful implementation of the goal and desire for Cao Bang tourism branding.
After consulting with the members of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh suggested reviewing, organizing members of the working groups and assigning detailed task to them, adding members to the Organizing Committee, establishing 5 working groups: Technical, Communications, Reception, Logistics, and Security and Healthcare. The Head of the Organizing Committee members basically agreed on the tasks assigned for the members of the Organizing Committee and particularly emphasized the communication before, during and after the Symposium, the security and safety of the Symposium and participants, city landscaping, etc. Due to the huge workload of tasks need to be carried out while the Symposium is coming, the Chairman suggested all the members of the Organizing Committee should carry out the assigned tasks on time, and ensure the close cooperation of all levels, Departments and branches in the implementation of all missions and events during the Symposium.