Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark and Its Three Sister Geoparks Gather in Zigong to Discuss the Sustainable Development of Global Geoparks in Sichuan

From 28 to 29 November 2023, the Global Geopark Work Exchange Meeting sponsored by the Administrator Centre of Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark was held in Zigong under the guidance of the Zigong Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning. Xingwen UNESCO Global Geopark, Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe UNESCO Global Geopark, Mount Siguniang National Geopark and Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark gathered together to discuss the sustainable development of global geoparks in Sichuan. Besides, the Sichuan Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, the Sichuan Geological Survey Institute, and the Geoparker's Nature Science Popularisation Centre also attended the meeting.

At the exchange meeting on 28 November, the representatives of the four geoparks delivered speeches to share the highlights and successes during their work and discussed future cooperation. After discussions, the four geoparks reached an agreement and signed the Cooperation Initiative on cooperation in eight aspects: geological site conservation, scientific research, geotourism, science popularisation education, publicity and promotion, sustainable economic development of communities, talent cultivation and establishment of a long-term exchange mechanism.

At the meeting, Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark and Mount Siguniang National Geopark became sister geoparks. Mount Siguniang is currently applying for UNESCO Global Geopark status and is the third geopark in Sichuan Province with which Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark has established sister arrangements after Xingwen UNESCO Global Geopark and Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe UNESCO Global Geopark.

In 2024, UNESCO will conduct a field inspection of Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark. Therefore, the meeting specially invited Zheng Yuan, an expert on the evaluation of global geoparks, coordinator of China's Global Geoparks Network, and professor-level senior engineer of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, to give a report titled Interpretation of Evaluation Rules for Global Geoparks. Mr. Zheng elaborated on various aspects of global geoparks such as the statutes, guidelines, criteria, elements, themes, and the differences between evaluation and revalidation and their key points, and provided guidance for the application and reevaluation work of the four geoparks.

At the exchange meeting, Zigong Dinosaur Museum shared its practice and main experience in science popularisation. Sichuan Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources shared the development achievements, future development plans, opportunities and challenges, and other aspects of the global geoparks in Sichuan. Geoparker's Nature Science Popularisation Centre shared its experience and practices in how to build a brand, operate an activity, develop a publicity channel, and build a volunteer system.

In addition, the participants also visited Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark and learned about its progress in the construction of the Zigong Dinosaur Museum, Salt Industry History Museum, Colourful Lantern Museum of China and Shenhai Well Scenic Area as well as in geological site conservation, display and exhibition, signs & interpretation system construction, tourism publicity and promotion, and other aspects.

This meeting has strengthened the exchanges and contact among the global geoparks and sister geoparks in Sichuan, promoted the close interaction and cooperation among the geoparks, and provided a positive and effective platform for exploring new development ideas and promoting the sustainable development of geoparks.