(TITC) - On 22nd November, at Dak Nong Provincial Convention Center, the Opening ceremony of the 20th International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology (ISV 20) and the Scientific Conference "15 years of Geopark development in Vietnam" took place under a hybrid platform.
Mr. Tran Hong Ha, Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) speaking at the Opening ceremony (Photo: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/)
The symposium with the theme “Conservation and sustainable use of volcanoes and volcanic caves” was organised jointly by Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee (Dak Nong PPC), Vietnam Institute of Geoscience and Mineral resources (VIGMR/MoNRE), Vietnam National Museum of Nature and The Commission on Volcano Caves - UIS from 21st to 26th November 2022.
Giving his remarks online from Ha Noi, Mr. Tran Hong Ha, Vietnamese Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) said, in recent years, Vietnam has actively participated in international and regional cooperation activities on geoparks and volcanoes and volcanic caves.
Hosting ISV20, Dak Nong has marked a new milestone in scientific cooperation between Vietnam and countries with cave systems in the world, between Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark and the International Cave Association in general and the International Volcanic Cave Commission in particular and with members of the Global Geoparks Network.
Overview of the symposium (Photo: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/)
Despite being a freshman of the Geopark Network, Dak Nong province being selected to host this important symposium, which has proved Dak Nong's position with international friends, strengthening cooperation and mutual understanding among countries in the region on conservation and sustainable use of geological heritage, added Mr. Tran Hong Ha.
Dak Nong effectively introduces and promotes the system of volcanic caves - geological heritage of Dak Nong UNESCO Geopark with domestic and international friends via this event; attract scientists to research, enhance the value of the cave system, the unique cultural value; learning and sharing experiences, contributing to the conservation and effective use of the heritage of Dak Nong province to serve the local development and to the general development of the country.
Speaking at the symposium, Mr. Ho Van Muoi, Chairman of Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee said, the initiative to host the ISV20 has affirmed Dak Nong's determination in preserving and rationally using heritage values, especially geological heritages.
Mr. Ho Van Muoi, Chairman of Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee (Photo: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/)
With the theme “Conservation and sustainable use of volcanoes and volcanic caves”, the ISV20 is expanded, including the system of volcanoes - which is the source of volcanic caves, valuable geological heritages that Dak Nong province and some other localities in Vietnam own.
This is a perfect opportunity for Dak Nong to introduce and promote volcanic systems and volcanic caves - world-class geological heritages in Dak Nong UNESCO Geopark to domestic and international friends. This is also an opportunity for Dak Nong province to learn from international experts in the field of conservation, management and sustainable use of heritage, serving local socio-economic development.
Hosting ISV20, Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark is dedicated to offering all participants great opportunities for sharing latest research and development results, and also to enjoy the beauty of Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark’s landscape and experience unique local traditions through a wide range of interactive sessions, field trips and activities, emphasised Mr. Ho Van Muoi.
Dr. Guy Martini, the General Secretary of the Global Geoparks Network and chairperson of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council speaking at the symposium (Photo: Dak Nong News)
Dr. Guy Martini, the General Secretary of the Global Geoparks Network and chairperson of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, highly praised for the unique values of Dak Nong UNESCO Geopark, and at the same time welcome the practical activities of Vietnam and Dak Nong in preserving and promoting the values of the Geopark and volcanic caves.
In 2020, Dak Nong UNESCO Geopark is recognized by UNESCO, bringing the network to 11 UNESCO Geoparks with lava caves. UNESCO is committed to strongly supporting international cooperation. With a network of intergovernmental science programmes, all parties contribute to the effective implementation of the sustainable development goals in general and action to respond to climate change, protect biodiversity and geology in particular. By far, UNESCO has supported more than 60 international projects, led by 379 geological leaders from 92 countries. The UNESCO Geopark Programme is the only entity that recognizes geological heritage of international significance. This is a fairly new project since it was started in 2015 by member states of UNESCO, but has grown extremely fast. There are now 177 locations in 46 countries.
Mr. Christian Manhart, UNESCO representative to Vietnam speaking at the symposium (Photo: Dak Nong News)
Mr. Christian Manhart, UNESCO representative to Vietnam believes that all the exchange activities in the coming days in Dak Nong will be very exciting and effective, and at the same time strengthen the excellent cooperation between UNESCO and geologists for the conservation and sustainable use of volcanoes and volcanic caves, towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
At the Opening ceremony, delegations were shown hero clips about volcanoes and the cave system of Dak Nong UNESCO Geopark and gratitude to Japan Volcanic Cave Association, in memory of expert Hiroshi Tachihara.
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