From September 10th to 15th , 2024 , the representatives of Shilin Global Geopark were invited to the 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) symposium held by Cao Bang province in Vietnam. Our geopark staff were led by Zhao Xiaomei who is the director of Shilin Geopark Administration.

This symposium offers a platform of exchange and cooperation for all the geoparks.The attendance of representatives from Shilin Global Geopark further improves the reputation and influence of Shilin globally.

the Group Photo of Chinese Representatives

the Representatives of Shilin Global Geopark

A representative of the Shilin UGGp was making oral presentation at the symposium

This symposium was held by Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark in Vietnam under the theme “local /indigenous People and Sustainable Development in Geoparks”.

Intense discussions at this year’s symposium covered six main topics like heritage inventory, protection and sustainable use. Simultaneously, the host held UNESCO Global Geopark Council Meeting, GGN 20th Anniversary, Geofair, Mid-symposium excursion and so on.

BÙI THANH SƠN, the deputy premier minister of Vietnam, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

A lot of experts attended the symposium including YU Hui, deputy director of Department of Nature Reserve Management, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, NICHOLAS Zouros, Chairman of the Executive Board of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, JIN Xiaochi, Vice-Chairman of the GGN and the Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN), ZHANG Jianping, member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, HE Qingcheng, Deputy Director of CGN, ZHENG Yuan, member of APGN Advisory Committee, and many senior evaluators of UNESCO Global Geoparks, etc.

The symposium attracted more than 800 experts, scholars and geopark professional representatives from 19 countries such as China, Malaysia，Iran，India, Morocco.

promotion activities and communications at the Geopark exposition

promotion activities and communications at the Geopark exposition

On September 11th , the geopark staff of Shilin Global Geopark took part in an election for the coordinator and vice coordinator of APGN; and professor JIN Xiaochi was successfully elected as the coordinator of APGN .

Pro.Jin Xiaochi visit the exhibition booth of Shilin

During the symposium, the representatives of Shilin Global Geopark actively participated in geofair, conducted geoaprk promotion work and communicated with representatives and experts from home and abroad.

In the sharing session, Bao Jihong, the representative of Shilin, made two oral presentations themed with “Review of Shilin UGGp's Protection and Development during the Past 20 years”, and “Community Engagement Enhances Geopark Sustainable Development and Residents Well-being: Take Wukeshu Village as an Example Respectively”. Ms. Bao showcased the overview of Shilin Global Geopark and other practices related to the conservation efforts of geological heritage sites and natural environment, scientific research activities and science popularization, geotourism and sustainable economic development, as well as the active engaging by local communities in the protection and development of Geopark, since Shilin was officially designated as a Global Geopark in 2004.

promotion activities and communications at the Geopark exposition

In the geofair venue, Shilin Global Geopark cooperated with its sister geopark Danxiashan Global Geopark to set up exhibition booth. We held our promotion activities through posters, brochures and various kinds of cultural and creative products. The distinctive natural resources in Shilin attracted a large number of participants to come to our exhibition booth, exchange best practices and take photos together.

During the symposium, the representatives of Shilin Global Geopark discussed about the process of management, protection and science popularization in depth with more than 20 domestic and global geoparks and aspiring global geoparks such as MUDEUNGSAN UNESCO Global Geopark, San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark, MUROTO UNESCO Global Geopark, LESVOS ISLAND UNESCO Global Geopark, QESHM ISLAND UNESCO Global Geopark and Danxiashan Global Geopark.

Communicate with MUDEUNGSAN UNESCO Global Geopark in Korea

exchange our promotional materials with MUDEUNGASAN UNESCO Globa Geopark in Korea

Give away our cultural and creative products to NON NUOC CAO BANG UNESCO Global Geopark in Vietnam

Communicate with Belitong UNESCO Global Geopark in Indonesia

As in known to all, APGN symposium, the most important conference of APGN, is generally held every two years. The next symposium is going to be held by Langkawi UGGp (Malaysia) in 2026. Langkawi UGGp was officially designated as a Global Geopark in 2007. It is famous for its island scenery, distinctive geological sites, thick forests, spectacular waterfalls and abundant wildlife and plant resources.