From October 30 to November 2, 2023, the 2023 China UNESCO Global Geopark Conference was held in Yimengshan Global Geopark. The conference was guided by the Natural Reserve Management Department of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Shandong Provincial Department of Natural Resources, and co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, the National Geopark Network Center, the Global Geopark Network Office, and Linyi Municipal People's Government. The theme of the conference is "Communication promotes improvement, innovation leads development".
Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark Management Center sent representatives to participate in the conference, and shared and exchanged ideas with about 150 participants from 50 geoparks, leaders of relavent government departments, and experts and scholars.
During the conference, experts such as Zhao Zhizhong, researcher at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and the Institute of Geomechanics, and Zhang Zhonghui, senior engineer at the Henan Geological Survey Institute, analyzed and clarified the differences between the new and old AB tables, providing in-depth explanations on the key points of the "Global Geopark Standards and Evaluation" and the current problems in the operation and management of geoparks.
In the subsequent onsite inspection, the representatives also visited the Yimengshan Global Geopark and its museum, learning about the advanced management concepts and sustainable development methods of the Yimengshan Global Geopark. This conference has pointed out the direction and identified key points for the future work of our geopark, and has guiding significance for enriching the re-evaluation materials.
After the conference, in order to learn advanced practice, representatives went to Taishan Global Geopark to carry out exchange activities on November 1, 2023. Through the symposium and field investigation, both parties had in-depth discussion on the planning and construction of global geoparks, the operation of the geopark museum, the protection of geological relics and ecological environment, the tourism development and the re-evaluation of the geopark. The two sides reached an agreement on establishing a cooperative relationship and successfully signed a sister park agreement, agreeing to further strengthen communication and cooperation, promote cultural exchange, carry out mutual visits and joint science popularization activities and exchange customer sources.
