Tianzhushan Attends The 3rd Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Jeju Symposium
The 3rd Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN)
Jeju Symposium was held from September 7 to 13 in the Jeju island Global
Geopark, Korea, and attended by 560 delegates from 25 countries. A delegate
from Tianzhushan Global Geopark attended the conference.
After deliberation, the delegates affirmed
that:
1. The significance of Earth Science has
played a critical role in promoting geoheritage conservation, geotourism and global geopark initiatives.
2. Intimate cooperation among local people,
scientists, tourism industries, municipalities, central governments and other
stakeholders are indispensable for geoheritage conservation, education, tourism
and proper management in geoparks. Therefore, sustainable development
of our geoparks as well as of our local communities will be retained as a goal.
3. To enhance networking activities within
the Global Geoparks families in the Asia-Pacific region, it is encouraged to
strengthen the human resources capabilities within the APGN to develop and
support various advisory roles, networking programs, research projects of
common interest and interrelated human activities within the APGN.
4. The Asia-Pacific Geopark community congratulated the GGN on its great success and rapid evolution, which was initiated in 2004 with the support of the Earth Sciences Division of UNESCO, and reached 100 members during the 3rd APGN Jeju Symposium. Global Geoparks are territories with geological heritages of international significance and have implemented a strategy aiming at holistic territorial heritage management, promotion and sustainable development that are innovative, integrated and respectful of local traditions and desires.
5. The Asia-Pacific Geopark community fully
endorse current efforts made after the decision of the 36th General Conference
of UNESCO to improve cooperation between UNESCO and Global Geoparks through the
establishment of a UNESCO Geoparks programme or initiative.