Meeting time: September 23, 2024

Meeting location: Xingyi, Guizhou

Meeting details:

On September 23, the 2024 China Global Geoparks Annual Conference and the 20th Anniversary Symposium of the Global Geoparks Network were held at the Fukang International Convention and Exhibition Center in Xingyi City. The event was chaired by He Qingcheng, Executive Deputy Director of the National Geoparks Network Center, Director of the Global Geoparks Network Office, Chief Scientist of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, and former Vice President.

At the seminar, Yuan Xiaohong, former Second-level Inspector of the Protected Area Management Department of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration; Zhang Jianping, Professor at China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Council Member of UNESCO Global Geoparks, Executive Bureau Member of the Global Geoparks Network, and Vice Chair of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) International Geodiversity Council; Fu Huayang, veteran film producer and director; Li Xia, Senior Engineer at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences; Zhang Yuanhai, Researcher at the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences; and Ji Qiang, Second-level Researcher at the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and Distinguished Professor at Hebei GEO University, delivered speeches on topics including "Review of the Construction and Development of China's Geoparks," "Issues in UNESCO Global Geopark Evaluation and Re-evaluation," "Divine Soldiers Boosting Geopark Brand Promotion and Cultural Tourism Cases," "Unveiling the Value of Geoheritage and Science Popularization," "Karst Geodiversity and Sustainable Development," and "Paleontology and Global Geopark Construction." Wang Shirong, Director of Guizhou Xingyi National Geopark Administration and Director of Xingyi City Forestry Bureau, announced the "Xingyi Declaration on the 20th Anniversary of the Development and Construction of China's Global Geoparks."

At the scene, He Qingcheng and Wang Shirong presented the flag to the next host of the China UNESCO Global Geopark Annual Conference, the Jiangxi Wugongshan UNESCO Global Geopark. Hu Jianbo, member of the Party Committee of Pingxiang Wugongshan Tourism Group and general manager of Jiangxi Wugongshan Industrial Co., Ltd., accepted the flag on behalf of the Jiangxi Wugongshan UNESCO Global Geopark. Wen Qianqian, representative of the Xingyi UNESCO Global Geopark, provided an on-site exchange route explanation for the attending leaders and guests.