From June 30 to July 1, in Dong Hoi city, the People's Committee of Quang Binh province coordinated with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organize a scientific workshop on "Promoting the value of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park World Heritage in the trend of integration and sustainable development". This event is part of a series of activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park being recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage (July 5, 2003 - July 5, 2023).
Conference scene.
Attending the workshop were representatives of leaders of central ministries and branches, leaders of Quang Binh province, UNESCO, international organizations in the field of conservation and development in Vietnam; representatives of Khammouane province (Laos) and domestic and foreign scientists. The workshop is a forum for managers, experts, and domestic and international scientists to exchange and discuss the results achieved, limitations, and challenges in the work of conservation and promotion of the values ​​of the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. Speaking at the workshop, comrade Tran Thang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province, said: With its invaluable values ​​to humanity, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park has been honored twice by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, and recognized by the Prime Minister as a Special National Monument. Comrade Tran Thang emphasized that after 20 years of preserving and promoting heritage, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park has become a tourism symbol not only of Quang Binh but also of Vietnam and has reached the world level; inspire endless inspiration for protecting, promoting heritage and discovering the hidden values ​​of the land of Quang Binh "sacred land, talented people". Currently, the work of preserving and promoting heritage values ​​still faces many difficulties and challenges. Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is not only a rare natural heritage that needs to be protected and preserved, but also a particularly important resource for local socio-economic development. The Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province hopes that at this workshop, international organizations, scientists and researchers will continue to decode the problems and hidden values ​​of the world natural heritage to continue to have solutions for sustainable conservation and promotion. Quang Binh province commits and affirms that it will do its best to preserve and exploit the heritage in a reasonable, effective, sustainable, legal and in compliance with international conventions; closely cooperate with Hin Namno National Park, Khammouane province (Laos) to link, cooperate, developing the unique landscape and tourism complex of Southeast Asia and the world. The workshop heard scientists, experts, and speakers present reports on the orientation of sustainable development of World Heritage from the perspective of UNESCO; the results of 20 years of cave exploration in Quang Binh by the British Royal Cave Association; exploiting Phong Nha - Ke Bang heritage tourism towards sustainable development; economic and technical discussions in the fields of: Management of cultural heritage, geology, geomorphology, forestry, biodiversity and tourism... Comrade Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shared: The Government and ministries, branches, and localities always pay special attention to heritages, resources to protect World Heritage are prioritized and mobilized to the maximum; The World Heritage Management Boards and Centers, agencies, organizations, communities and local businesses join together to contribute efforts, funds and enthusiasm as well as share the benefits from the World Heritage, creating sustainable social cohesion. The local community benefits directly from tourism and service activities at the World Heritage. According to comrade Hoang Dao Cuong, the conservation and promotion of Phong Nha - Ke Bang heritage is still facing many difficulties and challenges such as: the impact of climate change, the impact of development pressure and the increasing number of tourists..., requiring managers and scientists to continue to research, learn and solve. Therefore, this international conference will be a good opportunity to contribute more voices, experiences and wisdom of scientists and managers not only in Vietnam, but also in the international community for the management and conservation of World Heritage. Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province Ho An Phong said that the ideas suggested by experts and scientists will be received and studied by the provincial leaders, on that basis, selected to be included in the program, plan, and project to preserve and promote the values ​​of the World Natural Heritage of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in association with the implementation of the Provincial Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, which has just been approved by the Prime Minister. Within the framework of the workshop, there will also be an exhibition on World Heritages in Vietnam; 20-year achievements in preserving and developing the World Heritage of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park; cultural spaces of ethnic minority communities in Quang Binh; famous and impressive tourist destinations in Quang Binh; organic products meeting OCOP and VIETGAP standards of Quang Binh province./. Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/tu-tuong-van-hoa/phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-the-gioi-vuon-quoc-gia-phong-nha-ke-bang-640909.html