Summary of the construction and development work of the UNESCO Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark during the period 2018

18:19, 16/08/2023

BHG - On the afternoon of August 16th, the Provincial People's Committee and the Steering Committee for Tourism Development and the UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateau held a conference to summarize the work of building and developing the UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateau during the 2018-2022 period; and to implement key tasks for the 2023-2027 period. Comrades Nguyen Van Son, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and Tran Duc Quy, Provincial Party Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, co-chaired the conference.

Overview of the conference.

Attendees included Mr. Dao Quyen Truong, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Vietnam; Professor Guy Martini, Senior Advisor, Chairman of the Council, and Secretary-General of the UNESCO Geoparks Network; Associate Professor Tran Tan Van, Coordinator of the Geoparks Network; leaders from the Department of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; the Institute of Geological Sciences and Minerals; and consulting experts and scientists.

Representing our province were members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee: Ly Thi Lan, Deputy Head of the Standing Delegation of the 15th National Assembly Deputies from Ha Giang province; Chung Thi Chien, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council; leaders of the Provincial Party Committee's Party building departments, various departments and agencies; and the Standing Committee of the People's Committees of the districts within the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark area.

The meeting was chaired by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Van Son, and the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Tran Duc Quy.

On October 3, 2010, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark was officially recognized as a member by the Advisory Council of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, becoming the second geopark in Southeast Asia and the first in Vietnam. Dong Van Karst Plateau successfully passed three reassessments of its UNESCO Global Geopark Network membership in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Currently, Dong Van Karst Plateau has become an attractive tourist destination both domestically and internationally; the number of tourists has grown rapidly and steadily, from 300,000 in 2010 to 2.2 million in 2022 and is expected to reach 3 million in 2023. The development of tourism has significantly contributed to changing the socio-economic landscape, creating jobs, and increasing income for the local people. The poverty reduction rate in the four districts of the Central Highlands region reached over 6% per year, 1-2% higher than the average poverty reduction rate of the province...

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Son delivered a speech at the conference.

At the conference, the UNESCO advisory group and delegates highly appreciated the initial success in tourism development and attracting visitors to the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. They also discussed and highlighted several shortcomings that need to be addressed, such as: the threat from illegal quarrying; illegal and unplanned construction; and the erosion of traditional architecture, diminishing the attractiveness of heritage sites and landscapes. Experts suggested that the province should pay attention to and support the demarcation of new conservation areas; issue decisions to ensure that conservation work is legally sound; establish a rapid response system in localities to receive information and intervene from the outset against violations of conservation work; and refine regulations and policies supporting construction within the Geopark area, ensuring the preservation of traditional architecture in harmony with the landscape. Focus on preserving intangible cultural heritage values by clearly identifying the cultural values of each ethnic group in order to implement conservation efforts and pass them on to the younger generation.

Professor Guy Martini, Senior Advisor, Chairman of the Board, and Secretary-General of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, spoke at the conference.

One issue of concern to experts and delegates is the management structure of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, under the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Analysis shows that the geopark's management is currently facing the rapid increase and expansion of socio-economic activities in the region, making it difficult to respond promptly to acts of damage to the heritage. Therefore, the province needs to implement necessary decisions, including rebuilding an effective management structure, especially establishing a Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark Management Board under the Provincial People's Committee, chaired by a leader of the Provincial People's Committee, in order to ensure smooth direction, management, and resolution of emerging issues…

Associate Professor Tran Tan Van, Coordinator of the Geopark Network, delivered a speech at the conference.

Speaking at the conference, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Son acknowledged the contributions and committed to directing the implementation of appropriate scientific advice to ensure the sustainable development of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, meeting all criteria for membership in the UNESCO Geopark Network. He also requested continued support from ministries, central agencies, and specialized departments in the conservation, restoration, and promotion of the geopark's value, particularly in areas such as: establishing a legal framework for geoparks; conservation knowledge and techniques; promotion and training; operation of tourist areas and sites; cultural diplomacy; and guidance on seeking investment capital for tourism infrastructure.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested provincial departments and agencies to advise on the issuance of a detailed plan for the effective implementation of tasks in the 2023-2027 period; to resolutely build and develop the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in a sustainable direction; to maintain the title of UNESCO Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark and to move towards building the Dong Van Karst Plateau National Tourist Area by 2030. The People's Committees of the districts within the Geopark need to be more proactive in the management, conservation, and promotion of the Geopark's value. They should proactively coordinate and unify conservation and development activities. They should focus on resolving difficulties to conserve and develop the Geopark, serving socio-economic development. They should strengthen inspection, review, and prevention to avoid violations of the law. The organization will conduct extensive propaganda within the community to promote unity, preserve cultural identity, use cultural heritage to develop tourism, create livelihoods, escape poverty and become wealthy, contributing to the development of Ha Giang province...

At the conference, many collectives and individuals were awarded Certificates of Commendation by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for their outstanding achievements in the management, protection, and development of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark; and received Certificates of Merit from the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism for their achievements in participating in the reassessment of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark for the period 2018-2022.

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