Asia Pacific Geoparks Network
The Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) is the regional geopark network of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the UNESCO International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (UNESCO-IGGP). Its main role is to coordinate the activities of GGN in the UNESCO regions of Asia and the Pacific, to promote networking between global geoparks and geopark professionals in the region and to provide support for sustainable economic development in geopark areas. As of 2020 February, the APGN had 60 institutional members (UNESCO Global Geoparks) in countries.[1][2] The Pacific region is currently not represented by a global geopark, but there are ongoing geopark projects,[3] just as in other countries of Asia.
| Asia Pacific Geoparks Network | |
|---|---|
 Region of the Asia Pacific geoparks | |
| Etymology | Asia is from ancient Greek Asia, a region of Anatolia. They were representing Luwian Aswia, the endoname. Subsequent expansion of Greco-Roman civilization and post-classical extension of commerce pushed the location indefinitely eastward. Pacifica is a modern neologism, "in the Pacific." |
Organization
The APGN was founded in 2007 based on the proposal at the 1st Asia Pacific Geoparks Symposium in Langkawi (Malaysia). It was endorsed by GGN in 2008 and became its official regional geopark network in 2013, in compliance with its Rules of Operation.[4]
Governing bodies
The governing bodies of the regional network as an agency are:
- Advisory Committee: comprises the representatives of the founding members of the APGN, who meet annually to make the decisions on memberships and supporting programmes on geoheritage conservation, promotion of geoheritage education and awareness, and monitor the progress of the network
- Coordination Committee: made up of two official nominated representatives from each UNESCO Global Geopark of the network(a geoscientist and a specialist on geoparks development or governance) and a representative from UNESCO. It meets twice a year and overviews the admission of new members to the network and has an advisory role of geopark governance.
- Secretariat: providing the daily management of the network, supported by the Chinese Geoparks Network and the office of GGN in Beijing.
Regional Administrative Members
The personnel recognized as official members of the regional agency are:
- Institutional Members: UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) located in the Asia Pacific Region.
- Individual Members: professionals of geoconservation, sustainable development, tourism development, and environmental issues of GGN in Asia and the Pacific
- Honorary Members: individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the UNESCO Global Geoparks community or to the GGN from the Asia Pacific region
- National Representatives: nominated by member countries to represent them in the Advisory Committee (AC) and Coordination Committee (CC).
- Cooperating Members: international organizations, institutions, or individuals providing substantial financial or other assistance to GGN/APGN.
Asia Pacific Global Geopark membership
List of geoparks in the Asia Pacific region
The region only approximately follows continental guidelines. Turkey and Russia are in the European network. Iran is in the Asia Pacific. Otherwise the country distribution is Australasia.
Map of Asia Pacific geoparks
DV: Dong Van Karst Plateau, FUN: Funiushan, GN: Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe, HD: Huanggang Dabieshan, 1: Huangshan, 2: Jiuhuashan, LF: Leye Fengshan, LON: Longhushuan, LUS: Lushan, NCB: Non nuoc Cao Bang, QZ: Qinling Zhongnanshan, 3: Sanqingshan, SHE: Shennongjia, SHI: Shilin, SON: Songshan, UVA: Unzen Volcanic Area, YAN: Yandangshan, YIM: Yimengshan, YUN: Yuntaishan, 4: Tianzhusan, WD: Wangwushan-Daimeishan, ZC: Zhijindong Cave
Asia Pacific geoparks by nation
The member states of the APGN have established national geopark networks. By UNESCO rules a geopark must first apply for membership in the national geopark network and be accredited there before it can apply to membership in the regional geopark network. Having been accredited in the latter they may apply to the global network. This bottom-up method helps to insure that the member nations organize the activities of GGN on a national level first.
| National Network | Number of UNESCO Global Geoparks | Number of national geoparks | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese National Geoparks | 39 | 236 | [5] |
| Indonesian National Geoparks | 4 | 15 | [6] |
| Japanese National Geoparks | 9 | 35 | [7] |
| Korean National Geoparks | 3 | 7 | [8] |
| Malaysian National Geoparks | 2 | ||
| Philippine National Geoparks | 1 | [9] | |
| Thai National Geoparks | 2 | 4 | |
| Vietnamese National Geoparks | 3 |
Meetings and activities
As a regional geopark network, APGN is the organizer of several workshops and seminars, capacity building activities, common projects, promotional activities, and common publications between the member countries and UNESCO Global Geoparks. Besides the regular meetings of the Advisor and Coordination Committees, the most important events of the network are the biennial symposiums, a place of exchange on research activities and management practices in geoparks.
| Symposium | Venue | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium | Langkawi UGG, Malaysia | 2007 |
| 2nd Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium | Hanoi, Vietnam | July 2011 |
| 3rd Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium | Jeju UGG Korea | September 2013 |
| 4th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium | San'in Kaigan UGG, Japan | September 2015 |
| 5th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium | Zhijindong Cave UGG, China | September 2017 |
| 6th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium | Rinjani-Lombok UGG, Indonesia | September 2019 |
See also
References
- "APGN Geoparks – Asia Pacific Geoparks Network". asiapacificgeoparks.org. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
- "UNESCO Global Geoparks List|UNESCO". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
- "Waitaki Whitestone Geopark | Aotearoa New Zealand". Whitestone Geopark. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
- "APGN Rules of Operation" (PDF). Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- "Chinese Geoparks Network (in Chinese only)". www.geopark.cn. Archived from the original on 2019-12-22. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
- "Indonesia Geopark National Committee". www.idgeoparks.id. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
- "Japanese Geoparks Network". geopark.jp. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
- "국가지질공원 대국민서비스". www.koreageoparks.kr. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
- "Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark | UNESCO". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
External links
- Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (Accessed: 27 February 2020)