The UNESCO Global Geopark Network experts met with the People's Committee of Cao Bang province

There were Pham Vinh Quang, Secretary-General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO,  Mr. Trinh Hai Son, Director of the Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, Head of the Sub-Committee for Vietnam UNESCO Global Geoparks; Mr. Tran Tan Van, Senior Researcher of the Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, Member of UNESCO Global Geopark Council; domestic experts, representative leaders of provincial departments, and the Management Board of Non nuoc Cao Bang geopark.
In his preliminary field mission report, Guy Martini stated that the management, protection and operation of the infrastructure system at the geosites are quite good, the panel systems are well-managed, and the check-in panels in some geosites of exceptional geological values including Ma Phuc Pass, Lang Mon ancient coral, Lung Luong ammonite basically demonstrate scientific values of the sites; the information centers are displayed in a simple and economic way, however, they still provide information effectively.
In addition, the mission delegation also offered some recommendations on the activities Non nuoc Cao Bang geopark needs to implement in the incoming time in terms of landscape and environmental protection, traditional architecture and culture conservation and local people’s livelihood improvement, local product development, etc. For instance, for Mountain Angel Eye, the current parking place should be removed, visitors should not be allowed to drive to geosite area, feasible means of transportation by like bufalo or horse drawn wagons may be taken into consideration to provide incomes for the locals or collecting environmental protection fee, etc…For Phja Thap incense village, it is essential to set a commitment among the villagers on traditional architecture protection, find solutions for concrete walls and houses in concrete blocks, designing packages for Phja Thap incense product; Non nuoc Cao Bang should continue implementing 06 recommendations of UNESCO in the 2017 UNESCO global geopark evaluation mission; for the extended area of the geopark, all the activities have to comply with criteria of a UNECO global geopark; continuing field surveys, inspections and evaluations of heritage values in the geopark territory
 

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Hai Hoa expressed the gratitude to the UNESCO experts for conducting the field mission, assessing Non nuoc Cao Bang geopark’s activities and suggesting practical proposals for the development of the geopark, especially for the preparation of the Non nuoc Cao Bang UGGp revalidation mission. The PPC, departments and branches and local authorities would make their best efforts and enhance the development of the Non nuoc Cao Bang geopark, especially focusing on the incoming revalidation mission. Enhancing the management and protection of the environment, landscapes, traditional cultures and architecture; diversifying tourism services; developing the experience route to connect Non nuoc Cao Bang UGGp and Dong Van karst plateau (Ha Giang); actively participating in regional and international events and activities of GGN, APGN, and preparing the candidature dossiers to host APGN 8 scheduled in 2024.