September 5 to 12, 2023, the delegation of Lang Son province led by Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, participated in the 10^th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks in the Kingdom of Morocco. Joining the delegation were Mrs. Doan Thi Loan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of Lang Son City Party Committee; leaders of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cao Loc District Party Committee, Loc Binh District People's Committee and Lang Son Geopark Management Board.

The provincial delegation attended the opening ceremony of the Conference

The 10^th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks in Morocco in 2023 attracted nearly 1,500 representatives global Geoparks, senior UNESCO officials, scientists, policymakers and government officials around the world to share the latest research and experience on a variety of topics, geological research to sustainable tourism, education or participatory management for sustainable development. This is the most important event for UNESCO global Geopark managers and members of the Global Geoparks Network to meet and exchange ideas, knowledge and experience in geopark construction and operation.

Panorama of the Conference opening

Lang Son province delegation attended the opening and closing ceremonies of the Conference, participated in thematic workshops: sustainable tourism and local development; geodiversity and biodiversity management; geological heritage site conservation; Geopark – tangible and intangible cultural heritages. At the same time, the representative of Lang Son Provincial Delegation presented the topic "Mother Goddess Worship – Unique Indigenous Tradition in Lang Son Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark", which was highly appreciated by international delegates for its uniqueness and strong  cultural identity of Lang Son Geopark, Vietnam.

The provincial delegation met with Mr. Guy Martini, Senior Expert, Chairman of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council

On the sidelines of the Conference, the Provincial Delegation met with the President of the Global Geoparks Network, the Chairman of the UNESCO Global Geopark Council, the Secretary General of the Global Geopark Networks and the Head of the Science and Geopark Division of UNESCO; Vietnamese Ambassador to Morocco Dang Thi Thu Ha; Representative of the the Permanent Delegation of Viet Nam to UNESCO; Mr. Tran Tan Van, Senior Expert, member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council and leaders of some global Geoparks.

The provincial delegation met with Vietnamese Ambassador to Morocco Dang Thi Thu Ha

Some members of the Vietnam Global Geoparks Network

Some members of the Vietnam Global Geoparks Network took a souvenir photo with Vietnamese Ambassador to Morocco Dang Thi Thu Ha at the Conference's closing ceremony

The provincial delegation attending the 10^th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in Morocco in 2023 realized the goals, tasks,  exchanged and shared aspirations for the future of sustainable development of the UNESCO global Geoparks network with a strong spirit of connection, cooperation, innovation and creativity for everyone. Thereby contributing to strengthening international integration and cooperation, participating in activities of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN); connecting to learn experience, grasp the Geopark development orientation of the Global Geoparks Network, taking advantage of opportunities to promote Lang Son Geopark as well as the local cultural and socio-economic image to international friends, consolidating and completing the Dossier submitted to UNESCO to recognize Lang Son Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark and this is also a condition when considering the Dossier submitted to UNESCO for recognition and re-validation of the title of Global Geopark.

The Geoparks will continue to empower the various stakeholders involved in the Geoparks for sustainable socio-economic development through capacity building with schools, government, implementing partners, media, scientists, etc.,...based on their level of knowledge, capacity, roles and tasks related to UNESCO Global Geoparks. UNESCO Global Geoparks are deployed to promote and contribute to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Agenda 2030, especially poverty reduction, quality education, cooperation, climate action/ mitigating climate change, reducing inequality and gender equality. Public education to disseminate scientific knowledge in UNESCO Global Geoparks needs to target all ages children to adults and different professions to increase participation for sustainable management of  UNESCO global Geoparks. During the Closing Ceremony of the Conference, the Chairman of the Global Geoparks Network and representatives the Global Geoparks Network summarized the Conference's activities and development directions for the period 2023-2025; awarded Decisions to recognize 18 new UNESCO Global Geoparks and Decisions to recognize the successful re-validation of 43 UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Pham Huong