On the afternoon of August 22, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with the People's Committee of Cao Bang province to hold a press conference to inform about the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Global Geoparks Network in 2024 (APGN-8).
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, spoke at the Conference. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Attending the press conference were Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker.
The 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network for Asia and the Pacific will take place in Cao Bang from September 5-17, with the theme “Local communities and sustainable development in Geoparks”. The conference is expected to have about 800 - 1,000 domestic and international delegates attending.
Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, informed that the International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in the Asia-Pacific region is held every two years in a typical country in the region with the aim of sharing and exchanging experiences in the work of building and developing the title of Global Geopark.
In 2022, in Thailand, with its positive contributions to the Network, Cao Bang province of Vietnam was honored to be awarded the right to host the APGN-8 Conference. Over the past time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the People's Committee of Cao Bang province have closely and effectively coordinated in the preparation for the Conference. In particular, the Conference is even more meaningful when it is held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Global Geoparks Network.
Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed that the Conference is an important event for members of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in the Asia-Pacific region, researchers, managers, and scholars from member countries to have the opportunity to meet, connect, exchange information, and share experiences to continuously improve the construction, operation, and promotion of the role of Global Geoparks in association with sustainable development goals.
The APGN-8 Conference is not only an event for Cao Bang province but also a festival for localities holding UNESCO titles, thereby contributing to positioning the northeastern mountainous province in particular and localities of Vietnam in general on the world heritage map. This is both an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and a chance to promote and bring Vietnamese localities to the world and bring the world closer to Vietnam.
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| Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh emphasized that the Conference is of special importance to Cao Bang. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
According to Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, the Conference will strongly motivate and encourage localities in Vietnam in particular and countries in general to participate in the Network to both protect the common home - Earth, and promote and create livelihoods for people, contributing to making the message more clear: Vietnam is a civilized, safe, beautiful country; unique culture, rich in traditions; dynamic development; friendly, hospitable people; a reliable destination for living, studying, traveling, and investing. This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to continue to affirm its role as an active and responsible member and make substantial contributions to the common issues of UNESCO.
Based on the viewpoint of the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030, which is “taking localities, people and businesses as the center” and the spirit that Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son always emphasized for diplomatic staff is “serving the Fatherland, serving the people”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO have always actively accompanied and supported Cao Bang province in particular and Vietnamese localities in general on the journey to preserve and promote the value of the titles recognized by UNESCO.
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| Panorama of the press conference. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Local representative, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh emphasized that the Conference is of special importance to Cao Bang, an opportunity for the province to learn and share experiences in building and promoting the value of the Geopark model with countries around the world; promote and advertise the image, tourism potential, land and people of Cao Bang to domestic and international delegates; contribute to creating a Cao Bang tourism brand, opening up many new opportunities for Cao Bang tourism, creating breakthroughs for the local tourism industry, gradually and steadily turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector.
Mr. Hoang Xuan Anh requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue to guide, direct and coordinate in the coming time to prepare the conditions for the successful organization of the Conference. At the same time, he hoped that domestic and international press and media agencies would continue to accompany, support and disseminate information about activities within the framework of the APGN-8 Conference.
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| Delegates take souvenir photos at the press conference. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the 5th Global Geopark in Southeast Asia and the 2nd in Vietnam. Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark converges more than 200 heritage sites reflecting the Earth's 500 million-year history with an area of over 3,683 km2 and 4 "experience routes". American travel magazine Insider has voted Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark as one of the 50 most spectacular and outstanding places among the wonders and attractive natural landscapes around the world. |
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cao-bang-dang-cai-hoi-nghi-quoc-te-lan-thu-8-mang-luoi-cong-vien-dia-chat-toan-cau-unesco-khu-vuc-chau-a-thai-binh-duong-283547.html
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