On the morning of February 24, 2025, Wang Chuang, Deputy Director of the Natural Resources and Planning Bureau of Xi'an City, convened a meeting at the Resource Planning Service Building to promote the preparation work for the re-evaluation of the Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark. The meeting included relevant departments of the bureau, Xi'an Tourism Group, and all personnel from the Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark Management Center. The meeting heard a report from the management center on the preliminary preparations and next steps for the geopark re-evaluation by the UNESCO Global Geopark Executive Board.
Qinling Zhongnanshan was approved as a member of the Global Geopark Network in 2009 and successfully passed two re-evaluations in 2013 and 2017. With improved management and continuous innovation, the overall management and operation of the geopark are now orderly, and a lot of work has been done in the protection of geological relics, scientific research and popularization, and promotion of local economic sustainable development for many years. The public's recognition of the "global geopark near home" continues to increase. In July of this year, the geopark will undergo another UNESCO Global Geopark re-evaluation along with 10 other geoparks including Keshiketeng and Xingwen.
The meeting pointed out that Xi'an is a historical and cultural city, and also contains abundant natural resources. We need to continue to build the brand of Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark to make Xi'an more attractive. Four things need to be addressed: One is to attach great importance to the re-evaluation. Fully recognize the importance of the re-evaluation of the global geopark, enable the public to fully understand the significance of the assessment work, and create a strong atmosphere of attention, support, and participation in the re-evaluation; The second is to carry out the preparation step by step, quickly organize personnel to carry out the next step of work and ensure that the materials can withstand the "re-evaluation"; Thirdly, actively contact the Shaanxi Forestry Bureau, Shaanxi Tourism Group, and other natural reserve management departments, coordinate and communicate effectively, and ensure that all preliminary work is carried out in an all-round and orderly manner; The fourth is to complete the update and upgrade of the geopark identification system, utilize technological innovation to showcase and promote Qinling Zhongnanshan protection, disaster prevention and reduction, intangible cultural heritage, and other work, establish the world-class Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark brand, and continue to enhance the visibility of the global geopark.
