The 11^th UGGps Conference brought together about 1,000 delegates, including representatives of UNESCO Global Geoparks, aspiring Geoparks, researchers, scientists, politicians, and managers. This was a networking forum for Geoparks to gather and share experiences, introduce effective pratices and innitatives for developing Geoparks in line with UNESCO criteria. The conference also reaffirmed the unifying role of GGN in heritage conservation and promotion in association with sustainable development goals.

In addition, delegates enjoyed special art performances featuring traditional folkflores of local communities in the Kütralkura UNESCO Global Geopark territory. Side events such as Geofair and the Geopark Film Festival also created a vibrant atmosphere, fostering exchange and networking among GGN members.

Within the framework of the conference, there were meetings of the UGGps Council, the GGN Executive Board, GGN Advisory Committee, and the GGN General Assembly and regional Geoparks networks; presentations by candidates to host the 2027 conference; as well as scientific sessions with hundreds of papers on diverse topics such as geological heritage values, conservation and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, sustainable development aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda, geopark education, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation. At the conference, many MoU  between Geoparks were signed, marking a new step forward in international networking.

On September 8, at the meeting of the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network, Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark representing Vietnam Geoparks Network to delivered a report summarizing the activities of the Vietnam Geoparks Network from September 2024 to the present, highlighting achievements in management, education, heritage conservation, sustainable development, and international cooperation. These achievements reaffirmed the role of the Vietnam Geoparks Network as an active and proactive member of the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network and Global Geoparks Network, while strongly promoting the message of conserving geological and cultural heritage in connection with sustainable development.

During the conference, the Cao Bang delegation actively promoted the image of the Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, shared experiences in its development, and learned from effective management models worldwide. During scientific sessions, representatives of the Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark made two presentations namely “Preserving traditional craft villages for sustainable tourism development” and “Efforts in preserving ethnic minority languages in Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark,” which attracted great interest from international delegates. At the Geofair, the delegation introduced to international friends the outstanding geological, cultural, historical, and natural landscape values of Cao Bang through promotional materials such as Geopark guidebooks, brochures, newsletters, and traditional handicraft products. These activities contributed to promoting the image of a culturally rich Cao Bang while opening up opportunities for cooperation and experience exchange in Geopark management and development according to UNESCO criteria.

Continuing the activities of the 11^th UGGps Conference, on September 10 and 11 (local time), the delegation will attend the General Assembly of the Global Geoparks Network and participate in a field trip to explore Kütralkura UNESCO Global Geopark.

Author: L.T