On June 9, the UNESCO expert delegation led by Mr. Kupetz Manfred Reinhard, President of the Muskauer Faltenbogen Geopark Support Association, held a working session in Cao Bằng Province as part of the second re-evaluation of the UNESCO Global Geopark title for Non Nước Cao Bằng.

Overview of the working session.

Joining and working with the UNESCO expert delegation were representatives, leaders, and staff from the Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Agriculture and Environment; Finance; Education and Training; and External Affairs.

Comrade Tô Thị Trang, Acting Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, delivered a speech at the working session.

At the session, delegates heard a summary report on the progress of building and developing the Geopark since the first re-evaluation in 2022, along with the implementation of six UNESCO recommendations. These focused on heritage conservation and promotion, enhancing community capacity to respond to climate change, strengthening management structures, increasing promotion, preserving minority languages, and expanding international cooperation. To date, the province has effectively implemented these recommendations. These efforts have contributed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals under the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Notably, in 2024, the province successfully hosted the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in the Asia–Pacific region, thereby enhancing the position and reputation of the Non Nước Cao Bằng Geopark on the international stage. In the coming time, the province will continue to promote communication and education about the Geopark within communities and schools; expand networks of socially and environmentally responsible partners; preserve heritage in association with sustainable tourism development; and ensure fair sharing of benefits from community development activities.

Mr. Kupetz Manfred Reinhard, President of the Muskauer Faltenbogen Geopark Support Association and Head of the UNESCO expert delegation, highly appreciated the efforts in building and developing the Non Nước Cao Bằng Geopark.

At the working session, the UNESCO expert delegation praised the preparations for the second re-evaluation as well as the comprehensive efforts of Cao Bằng Province in implementing activities to build and develop the Geopark. Through the report, the delegation acknowledged outstanding initiatives carried out locally in recent years, such as establishing and effectively maintaining the “Exploring the Geopark with You” Club; supporting the preservation of traditional craft villages in association with sustainable development, notably the Dìa Trên handmade paper village and Phja Thắp incense village; and expanding the Geopark partner network. These initiatives demonstrate the close linkage between heritage conservation, improving local livelihoods, and promoting sustainable tourism development.

Speaking at the session, Comrade Tô Thị Trang, Acting Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed the hope that the UNESCO expert delegation would continue to pay attention, accompany, and support Cao Bằng Province in its journey to preserve and promote the value of the UNESCO Global Geopark title for Non Nước Cao Bằng. She emphasized that building and developing the Geopark is not only to maintain the international designation but also an important task in preserving the province’s distinctive geological and cultural values, while contributing to livelihood creation and improving the quality of life for communities within the Geopark. Cao Bằng Province is always ready to listen to and adopt evaluations and professional advice from UNESCO experts, proactively building and implementing appropriate mechanisms to effectively fulfill UNESCO’s recommendations. With serious and methodical preparation, Cao Bằng is determined to make its utmost efforts to successfully safeguard the UNESCO Global Geopark title for Non Nước Cao Bằng, while committing to fully meet all criteria and requirements set by UNESCO.

Comrade Tô Thị Trang, Acting Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, presented souvenirs to the UNESCO expert delegation.

According to the plan, from June 10 to 12, the re-evaluation expert delegation of the UNESCO Global Geopark title will conduct field surveys and assessments of tourism routes and heritage sites within the Non Nước Cao Bằng Geopark.

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