From July 20 to 24, UNESCO Global Geopark evaluators Mahito Watanabe and Elizabeth Silva conducted the revalidation assessment of Jingpohu UNESCO Global Geopark.

In accordance with the relevant regulations on Global Geoparks, certified geoparks are required to undergo a revalidation assessment every four years. Jingpohu was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2006, and 2026 marks its scheduled revalidation year. At the critical stage of preparation for the assessment, Jingpohu Scenic Area suffered an extreme flood once in a millennium, which severely damaged scenic infrastructure and field inspection routes, putting the assessment at risk of postponement. Faced with this severe challenge, the Jingpohu Administrative Committee efficiently coordinated flood prevention, recovery and reconstruction, and assessment preparation. Working around the clock to overcome difficulties, staff completed emergency repairs to basic roads within just one day, ensuring full accessibility of all inspection routes and guaranteeing the smooth progress of the revalidation assessment as scheduled.

Through special briefings, document reviews, on-site inspections, seminars and interviews, the four-day rigorous on-site assessment carried out comprehensive and multi-dimensional verification on key work including regular conservation of volcanic geological resources, geo-science popularization in schools and communities, efforts of the geopark to boost villagers’ income, and implementation of long-term park management mechanisms. Thanks to the concerted efforts of all staff of the Administrative Committee, the on-site revalidation assessment of Jingpohu UNESCO Global Geopark was successfully concluded, earning high recognition from the expert panel. All field assessment activities have now been completed, pending the final review and decision by UNESCO.

In recent years, the Jingpohu Administrative Committee has consistently upheld the mission of the UNESCO Global Geopark, advanced regular conservation of geological resources, rolled out geo-science popularization activities across the region, and fully practiced the philosophy of ecological priority and sustainable development. Moving forward, taking this revalidation assessment as an important opportunity, Jingpohu UNESCO Global Geopark will strictly align with international construction standards, further refine conservation and management measures, raise refined management capacity, and strive to build a world-class model geopark featuring harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.