On November 22, in Gia Nghia city, Dak Nong province, in coordination with the Institute of Geological Sciences and Mineral Resources (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the Vietnam Museum of Nature (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) organized the Opening Ceremony of the 20th International Conference on Volcanic Caves and the Scientific Workshop “15 years of developing Geoparks in Vietnam” in live and online forms.
Mr. Ho Van Muoi – Chairman of Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee delivered the opening speech at the Conference
Attending the opening session were representatives of international organizations: UNESCO in Vietnam; International Volcanic Caves Committee; UNESCO Global Geoparks Council.
On the Dak Nong province side, there were comrades of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Dieu K’Re; Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council Luu Van Trung; Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Ho Van Muoi; comrades in the Provincial Party Standing Committee; leaders of localities and many artisans and people in the province.
The conference was attended and delivered an online speech by comrade Tran Hong Ha – Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and direct delegates who were invited guests representing the National Assembly’s Law Committee; the National Assembly’s Culture and Education Committee; the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO; the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources; scientists from the Department of Heritage, Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Natural Sciences, Hanoi Open University; delegates are leaders of the People’s Committees of the provinces: Nam Dinh, Binh Phuoc, Gia Lai, Dong Nai, Hoa Binh, Cao Bang, Lang Son…
Speaking online from Hanoi, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said that in recent times, Vietnam has actively participated in international and regional cooperation mechanisms on geoparks and volcanic caves. Dak Nong province hosting the ISV20 Conference marks a new milestone in scientific cooperation between Vietnam and countries with cave systems in the world, between the UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark and the International Cave Association in general and the International Volcanic Cave Committee in particular and with members of the Global Geopark Network and this is the first time the ISV Conference has been held in Vietnam.
Although it is a very young member of the Global Geoparks Network, the selection of Dak Nong province to host this important conference has enhanced the position of Dak Nong with international friends; strengthened cooperation and mutual understanding between countries in the region on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of heritages, especially geological heritages; affirmed that Vietnam is a country quite typical of the world’s natural heritage.
Vietnam wishes to have close cooperation with international experts to research and present the values of Vietnam’s natural heritages, especially caves and volcanic caves. At the same time, together we will propose global solutions and policies to manage the values of world heritages, especially bringing these heritages to serve the socio-economic development associated with environmental protection and climate change adaptation.
Through this activity, Dak Nong province will effectively introduce and promote the volcanic cave system – a geological heritage (with traces of prehistoric human culture) of international stature in the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark; attract scientists to research and enhance the value of the cave system and its unique cultural values; share experiences, contribute to the conservation and effective exploitation of Dak Nong province’s international heritage, serving the development of the province and contributing to the overall development of the country.
In his opening speech at the Conference, Chairman of the Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee Ho Van Muoi expressed his honor to be the locality hosting the first International Conference on Volcanic Caves held in Vietnam and the Scientific Workshop “15 years of developing Geoparks in Vietnam”. Mr. Muoi emphasized that proactively hosting an international scientific event affirms Dak Nong province’s determination to preserve and rationally utilize heritage values, especially geological heritages; is an opportunity for Dak Nong province to introduce and promote the system of volcanoes and volcanic caves, international-class geological heritages in the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark to domestic and international friends. This is also an opportunity for Dak Nong province to learn from international experience in the field of conservation, management and sustainable exploitation of heritages, serving local socio-economic development.
Also at the opening ceremony, Mr. John Brush, Chairman of the International Volcanic Caves Committee and Mr. Guy Martini, Chairman of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, Secretary General of the Global Geoparks Network spoke, acknowledging the efforts of Dak Nong in particular, and Vietnam in general, in preserving and sustainably developing valuable geological heritages; affirming the necessity of organizing a Conference to exchange new scientific values about volcanoes and volcanic cave systems worldwide; thereby proposing and determining ways to effectively preserve and exploit geological heritage values.
After the opening session, the 20th International Conference on Volcanic Caves with the theme “Conservation and sustainable development of volcanoes and volcanic caves” had a focused discussion session at the Conference Hall of Dak Nong Province.
From November 22 to 24, the ISV20 Conference will take place with the main activities including: ISV20 Conference; Specialized seminars of Conference I
Ms. Ton Thi Ngoc Hanh – Vice Chairman of Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee – Head of ISV20 Organizing Committee presented flowers to international delegates of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.
