30 June 2004

The 1st International Conference on Global Geoparks was held in Beijing, China on June 27th -29th 2004, whose theme was "Geoheritage Conservation and Sustainable Development". It was co-organized by UNESCO and the Ministry of Land and Resources of China. More than 500 representatives from over 40 countries and regions have been present to share research and building experience and discuss the future of GGN. Dozens of representatives of Shilin Global Geopark have attended the Conference.

During the three-day conference, academic presentations were held and the Statutes of the Global Geoparks and the Beijing Declaration on the conservation of geoheritage were adopted. After the conference, representatives visited the Global Geoparks in China and participated in the unveiling ceremony for 8 Global Geoparks in China: including Huangshan, Lushan, Yuntaishan, Shilin, Danxiashan, Zhangjiajie, Wudalianchi and Songshan. The Conference also decided that the 2nd International Conference on Global Geoparks will be held in the Republic of Ireland in 2006.

Pro. Liang Yongning was giving presentation on behalf of Shilin

The 1st Global Geoparks Conference is an important milestone in the history of global geoparks development. Through this conference, communication and cooperation among Geoparks were strengthened, the healthy development of geoparks was promoted, and greater contributions will be made to the protection and utilization of this valuable treasure given to mankind by nature. 17 geoparks were also included in the list of the first batch of global geoparks: 2 in Austria, 2 in France, 3 in Germany, 2 in Greece, 2 in Italy, 2 in Spain, 3 in the UK and 1 in Ireland.

Shilin geopark held folk song and dance performance after the conference, showing Shilin’s colorful and unique ethnic culture,attracting all the participants.

Folk song and dance performance by Shilin

Folk song and dance performance by Shilin