From July 21 to 24, international evaluation experts of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, Makoto Watanabe and Elizabeth Silva, conducted a field reassessment of Jingpohu Global Geopark in Mudanjiang. Relevant officials from the Heilongjiang Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Mudanjiang Municipal People’s Government, the Mudanjiang Forestry and Grassland Administration, and the Administrative Committee of Jingpohu Global Geopark, together with industry experts, participated in the evaluation work.

Jingpohu was certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2006, listing it among the world’s premier protected areas for natural ecology and geological heritage. In accordance with the standard management regulations for UNESCO Global Geoparks, the park is subject to a field reassessment every four years. The periodic review comprehensively examines core achievements in resource conservation, popular science development, operational management and social benefits, serving as a key benchmark for measuring the park’s international development standards.

To ensure high-standard and high-quality preparation for the reassessment, the Mudanjiang Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government made overall arrangements and deployed targeted work. The Administrative Committee of Jingpohu Global Geopark set up a special working team to conduct item-by-item self-inspection and rectification in strict accordance with the UNESCO evaluation indicator system. A series of solid measures have been implemented, including systematically sorting out and improving archived documents, scientifically optimizing expert inspection routes, upgrading geo-science popularization and interpretation facilities, and standardizing park signage and guidance systems. These efforts have comprehensively strengthened both hardware and software infrastructure to fully guarantee the smooth progress of the evaluation.

The reassessment adopts a four-dimensional evaluation method featuring special briefings, document review, on-site inspection and seminars. Covering core scenic spots including the main lake area of Jingpohu, Underground Forest in Volcanic Craters, Lava Tunnels, Shangguandi Characteristic Geological Village and the Geological Museum, the evaluation focuses on key work such as the regular conservation of volcanic geological relics, the implementation of geo-science popularization programs in schools and communities, rural revitalization and villagers’ income growth driven by geological resources, and the implementation of the park’s long-term management mechanism. It delivers an all-round and in-depth inspection of the park’s construction and development achievements over the past four years.

This UNESCO reassessment serves as a comprehensive and authoritative review of the park’s long-term achievements in ecological conservation, science popularization, cultural and tourism integration, and long-term governance. It also provides a vital opportunity for the park to align with international standards, address development shortcomings and improve refined management capabilities. Going forward, taking this reassessment as a key driving force and international standards as the guide, Jingpohu Global Geopark will continue to advance the protection of geological relics, innovate geo-science popularization, and integrate ecological and cultural tourism. It will further consolidate its prestigious status as a world-class geopark and strive to build a model geopark featuring harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.