The 8th International Conference of the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network 2024 (APGN-8) was held in Cao Bang from September 12-15, 2024, with the gathering of more than 600 distinguished domestic and international delegates, igniting solidarity, sharing, cooperation, connecting global geopark heritage resources and unique heritage cultures between countries.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, affirmed: APGN-8 is a festival of localities and countries holding UNESCO titles and is also an opportunity for researchers, managers, and scholars from all over the world to meet, connect, exchange, share good experiences, and constantly promote the role of UNESCO Global Geoparks in implementing sustainable development goals.
Sustainable Development Forum
“Local communities and sustainable development in the Geopark area” is the focal point of this year's Conference, therefore, delegates are particularly interested in the presentations proposing solutions to promote sustainable development and community-based conservation of Geopark heritage.
Ms. Lidia Brito, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences, spoke at the opening session of the APGN-8 Conference: “On the eve of the Conference, we have witnessed Cao Bang and many northern provinces of Vietnam suffering heavy damage due to the impact of storm No. 3 under the impact of climate change. Therefore, the task of Geoparks together with sustainable development must urgently develop an action program on climate change adaptation to minimize accidents, risks, and damage to protect the earth and humanity” .
As for the discussion part, the Conference was divided into 6 scientific workshops corresponding to 6 thematic groups on sustainable development solutions associated with climate change adaptation, biodiversity..., attracting more than 100 scientists and managers to participate, providing many valuable orientations and strategies for developing the Geopark model.
Ms. Sarah Gamble, member of the Management Board of the Global Geopark Network of Canada, said: “I chose the workshop session on investigation, assessment, conservation and sustainable promotion of the values of heritage types with presentations by experts on methods of investigating the current status of geopark heritage to contribute to the correct assessment, development of management strategies, investment in conservation and promotion of the values of geopark heritage”.
Ms. Do Thi Yen Ngoc (Vietnam Institute of Mineral Resources and Geology) shared a report on "Indigenous knowledge of Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Lang Son province and community participation in developing Geoparks", attracting many delegates, especially delegates from indigenous peoples in Africa and North America.
Ms. Agness Onna Gidna, Tanzania Global Geopark Management Board said: Our Geopark has many tribes, tribes that preserve their own customs and practices, so the presentations at this session help us learn more about preserving indigenous knowledge of ethnic minorities in Geopark development.
Multi-colored cultural heritage of Geopark
APGN-8 is also considered a unique cultural heritage meeting place for Geoparks because each participating delegation brings with them the unique cultural identity of each country to introduce and promote.
Cao Bang alone has more than 20 CGĐ booths introducing traditional handicraft products from brocade weaving, incense making, paper, roof tiles and introducing many OCOP products. In particular, the colorful space of Cao Bang brocade with many products such as handbags, scarves, wall hangings, and delicately designed costumes has attracted many delegates to visit and listen to the introduction.
Ms. Luna, a Spanish fashion designer, excitedly said: “For more than 10 years, the appeal of Vietnamese brocade has inspired me to successfully design and organize brocade fashion events in European countries and Vietnam. At this conference, I also designed many shirts, dresses, and scarves from Cao Bang and Ha Giang brocade, which were purchased by many European and North American customers.”
Cao Bang OCOP products such as Kolia tea, chestnuts, chestnut wine, banh chung, banh khao, five-color sticky rice, honey sticky rice, fragrant sticky rice... are praised by friends who have tried them. Ms. Ranoria, Korat Global Geopark, Thailand said: "I tried Kolia organic tea and found the taste and quality very good, so I bought 200 bags as gifts and to introduce to agents in Thailand ."
Sharing about the appeal of Cao Bang cuisine, Mr. Paul (Management Board of Nannup Regional Geopack, Australia) excitedly said: “I have just arrived in Cao Bang, although I have not experienced it yet, I am extremely impressed with the delicious dishes such as fragrant sticky rice with many colors, roasted pork, roasted duck, beef with black pepper sauce... as the key for us to be curious and register to experience the land with many beautiful landscapes where farmers have grown delicious sticky rice grains on this land”.
Mr. Sigit Tri Prabowo, Indonesian delegate, was very impressed with Cao Bang culture: “Before, I knew Then singing, Vietnam's Tinh lute was honored by UNESCO as a representative of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Coming to Cao Bang, I saw young people singing live, I was extremely impressed with the Then melody, delicate, sweet, touching people's hearts... making me love Cao Bang even more".
In addition to Cao Bang, there are also booths of Geoparks in Ha Giang, Dak Nong, Lang Son provinces introducing cinnamon, star anise, agarwood, brocade products...
Mr. Suk Chen Kang, Head of the Je Ju UNESCO Titles Management Board, excitedly said: “Entering the Dak Nong Geopark booth, I was warmly welcomed by the friends, who tied a delicate brocade bracelet around my wrist and introduced it as a bond of love. I was introduced to the weaving art of the Ede people living in the Central Highlands with red basalt soil - a place with volcanic eruptions similar to the Je Ju island (Korea) - so we really love Dak Nong and Cao Bang - two places that will become our destinations”.
Experiencing the unique culture of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark not only helps domestic and international friends leave many deep impressions but also opens a bridge connecting Geoparks between countries.
Bridge connecting and cooperating in tourism
In addition to organizing scientific seminars and unique cultural exhibition spaces, APGN-8 also organizes experiential journeys in Cao Bang for delegates to learn more about community life and heritage values preserved in the Cao Bang Non Nuoc Geopark area.
Ms. Lidia Brito, Assistant Director General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences, said: Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Heritage is a treasure bestowed by nature with many majestic and poetic landscapes and unique cultural heritages that are rare in other places. In particular, the Northern tour route "Journey to the origin" of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark has many international heritage values, attracting many countries with geoparks to sign agreements on geopark and tourism twinning with Cao Bang.
Professor, Director of Medungsan Geopark Management Board, Korea excitedly said: “5 years ago, I came to Cao Bang to experience the Eastern route with the theme “Experience the indigenous culture of the fairyland” and took many beautiful photos of the landscape and life of the Tay and Nung ethnic people to introduce to Korea, impressing young Koreans who came to the address of the photos I took in Cao Bang. When I returned, they told me that if I did not visit Cao Bang in my life, I would regret it because the real scenery is more beautiful than in the photos. Today, I return to Cao Bang with the intention of promoting the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark so that the two sides can connect and share experiences in operating the Geopark for sustainable development, promoting tourism development”.
Notably, in addition to Medungsan Geopark (Korea) signing a memorandum of understanding with Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, there are 3 other geoparks signing the memorandum of understanding, including: Lac Nghiep - Phuong Son Global Geopark (China); Khorat Global Geopark (Thailand); Haute Provence Global Geopark (France).
Also within the framework of the Conference, Dak Nong Global Geopark signed a twinning agreement with Je Ju Island Global Geopark (South Korea) and Yangan-Tau Global Geopark (Russia). Some Chinese Geoparks and Malaysian Geoparks exchanged twinning agreements to learn from each other and connect in tourism development...
Professor, Director of Medungsan Geopark Management Board, Korea affirmed: APGN-8 Conference is a bridge, an opportunity for us Geopark to concretize the mission of the Korean Government, which has signed many economic, cultural and social cooperation agreements with the Vietnamese Government. Many Korean companies have had large investment projects in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, we are continuing to open up to Cao Bang, promising Cao Bang to be a new and promising destination in the near future.
Since the APGN-8 Conference, Cao Bang has been honored to be the destination of UNESCO Global Geopark countries to exchange, learn from each other's experiences, connect tourism..., contributing to further solidarity between countries to preserve the earth's heritage with green, peaceful and happy for humanity.
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