The 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium was held in Cao Bang Province, Vietnam from September 11th to 15th, 2024. At the invitation of Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark participated in the conference.
Group photo of the delegation&Opening ceremony
This conference focused on the theme of “Local Residents and Indigenous Peoples in Geoparks and Sustainable Development”. Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Pha Thien Thanh attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. 800 experts, scholars, and representatives from Global Geoparks in 19 countries including China, Malaysia, Iran, India and Morocco also attended.
During the conference, the delegation of Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark introduced the progress in the geopark management, sustainable development of local residents, poverty alleviation and rural revitalization and scientific protection of geological relics, had in-depth exchanges with representatives from multiple geoparks including Morocco, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea, and discussed topics such as heritage discovery, protection, sustainable use, geoscience popularization, community participation and sustainable development. The delegation also had in-depth discussions and exchanges with representatives from sister geoparks such as Langkawi in Malaysia, Linjani in Indonesia, and Khorat Geopark in Thailand on topics such as geopark science education, geopark promotion methods, and signage design.
With GGN Vice Chairman Komoo Ibrahim and Professor Tian Mingzhong
With APGN Chairman Jin Xiaochi
With the leader of the Natural Reserve Management Department of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration
The delegation also set up a promotional booth to promote the rich and unique geological relics and tourism resources of Qinling Zhongnanshan, which attracted a large number of attending representatives and local citizens. Promotional brochures, picture books, children’s science popularization readings, and special souvenirs such as the Qinling Giant Panda were very popular.
Communication and promotion
Delivered speeches in the scientific session
The delegation also participated in 20 scientific sessions in six fields, including “Heritage List, Protection and Sustainable Utilization”, community residents’ participation in geopark activities, geological and natural disaster risks, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
At the same time, three representatives from Qinling Zhongnanshan were invited to participate in the public science popularization session, giving keynote speeches on “Based on The Advantages of Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark, Promote the Level of Regional Coordinated Development”, “Exploration of Science Popularization Work in Global Geoparks” and “Study on Science Popularization and Communication in New Media Era”.
