The event took place within the framework of the 224th session of the UNESCO Executive Board, honoring newly designated UNESCO Global Geoparks and recognizing the efforts of geopark members in maintaining and enhancing the quality of the UNESCO Global Geopark designation through the integration of heritage conservation and sustainable development.

This was the second time UNESCO had organized a certificate presentation ceremony for newly designated UNESCO Global Geoparks and the first time it had held a ceremony to award revalidation certificates to geoparks that successfully completed the revalidation process. Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Viet Nam to UNESCO, attended the ceremony in person and received the certificate. Representing Cao Bang Province, participants attending online included Mrs. Nong Thi Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Vi Tran Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs; along with leaders and staff of the Management Board of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark and representatives of affiliated units under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The program provided an overview of UNESCO’s role in the UNESCO Global Geoparks initiative, highlighting its strategic objectives, communication and promotional activities, capacity-building efforts, and expanded opportunities for member states to participate. During the ceremony, UNESCO awarded certificates to 12 newly designated UNESCO Global Geoparks and revalidation certificates to 44 UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh noted that UNESCO’s first-ever ceremony honoring geoparks that successfully completed the revalidation process and had their UNESCO Global Geopark status renewed demonstrates the organization’s growing recognition of the commitment and efforts of countries, local authorities, and communities in preserving this important designation. The event is also particularly meaningful as 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam’s membership in UNESCO and the 50th anniversary of cooperation between Viet Nam and UNESCO.

This marks the second time that Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark has successfully passed the revalidation process and been awarded the UNESCO “Green Card,” the highest rating in the revalidation system, thereby retaining its UNESCO Global Geopark status.

Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark was officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in April 2018. Following its first revalidation in 2022, Cao Bang Province effectively implemented UNESCO experts’ recommendations during the 2023–2025 period. Earlier, in June 2025, the province welcomed a UNESCO evaluation mission conducting the revalidation assessment. At the 10th meeting of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, held on September 7, 2025, as part of the 11th International Conference of UNESCO Global Geoparks hosted by UNESCO Global Geopark Kutralkura in Chile, the Council recommended awarding a second Green Card to Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark.

This achievement is a well-deserved recognition of Cao Bang Province’s persistent efforts to conserve and promote the value of its geological, cultural, and natural heritage while supporting community livelihoods. It also reaffirms the province’s commitment to fully implementing UNESCO experts’ recommendations from previous revalidation cycles, with the goal of fostering sustainable development and sharing the value of its heritage more widely with the international community.

The 2026 certificate presentation ceremony for UNESCO Global Geoparks once again underscores the role of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network as an effective platform for international cooperation, enabling countries to exchange experiences, conserve heritage, and promote sustainable socio-economic development.