The event was attended by Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Hoang Xuan Anh said that with the theme of “Local communities and sustainable development in geoparks” and through many diverse, engaging, and practical activities, this symposium aims to identify useful solutions for establishing and developing the global geopark designation. The goal is to contribute to preserving and enhancing the value of various heritage types towards sustainable development.

Additionally, the symposium seeks to find solutions to current global challenges, particularly by strengthening the role of local communities, the key stakeholders in geoparks, conservation activities and building and enhancing the value of geoparks for a sustainable development community.

Thanking Cao Bang Province for warmly welcoming the delegates and organising the symposium meticulously, Chairman of the Global Geoparks Network Nickolas Zouro, emphasised that the challenges posed by climate change require us to think more strongly and concretely to respond to climate change and natural disaster risks. This will enhance the community's capacity to cope with climate change and create a safer world.

Sharing the losses caused by Typhoon Yagi in the northern region and Cao Bang Province in particular, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito, highlighted that the impacts of climate change affect everyone. Collective and persistent efforts are needed to mitigate the effects and damage caused by climate change.

Emphasising that the goal of the Global Geoparks Network is to connect and unite through commitments to heritage protection and sustainable development, Brito encouraged symposium participants to enhance exchanges of knowledge and experiences in protecting landscapes, heritage, and cultural identity within geopark areas and promoting sustainable development.

In his speech at the event, Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son shared the losses and suffering experienced by the people in the northern region and Cao Bang Province due to Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath. He urged the localities to address the aftermath of the natural disasters and quickly stabilise the lives and production of the people.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that in the context of some challenges and difficulties in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the activities of the Global Geoparks Network serve as a "solution" to this global issue.

With this spirit, Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son proposed that the symposium’s participants discuss and clarify new cooperation directions, such as determining a comprehensive approach to unify understanding and actions on conserving and enhancing the value of geoparks for sustainable development.

He added that the parties within the Global Geoparks Network should promote multilateral partnerships and international cooperation to develop global geoparks in alignment with sustainable development.

They should also advance a long-term vision of 5 to 10 years for developing the Global Geoparks Network into a strong international cooperation network, aimed at preserving and enhancing the value of geological heritage, not only for today’s generation’s benefit but for future generations.

The Deputy PM said: “I look forward to the Cao Bang Declaration being an important document that evaluates the activities of the Network over the past two decades, proposing cooperation directions for the next decade, especially the 10th anniversary of UNESCO's Global Geoparks Programme (2015-2025) next year”.

At the 8th Asia – Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium, thematic workshops on the conservation and sustainable development of geoparks, and booths promoting products and cultural identity at the geoparks will also be held.

The symposium will conclude on September 15.