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| Asia Pacific Geoparks Network | |
|---|---|
| Name | Asia Pacific Geoparks Network |
| Abbreviation | APGN |
| Formation | 2009 |
| Type | Regional network |
| Region served | Asia Pacific |
| Parent organization | UNESCO Global Geoparks |
Asia Pacific Geoparks Network is a regional cooperative network that connects UNESCO Global Geoparks initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region to promote geological heritage, sustainable tourism and community development. It works alongside UNESCO, UNEP, and national agencies such as the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of the Environment (Japan) to coordinate technical standards, capacity building and transboundary cooperation. The network interacts with international bodies including the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the International Geographical Union and the World Tourism Organization to integrate geoscience with conservation policy and regional planning.
The network functions as a regional node within the global framework established by UNESCO for geopark designation, linking geoparks located in countries such as the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia and Russia. It facilitates exchanges among managers from sites like Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global Geopark, Langkawi and Mount Aso, while engaging with regional stakeholders such as the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Activities include capacity workshops, thematic conferences, and joint promotional initiatives with organizations such as IUCN and ICOMOS.
Originating from discussions at UNESCO World Heritage Committee and consultations involving the Geological Society of London and the Chinese Geoparks Network, the network was formally established in the late 2000s to address the growing number of geopark proposals from the region. Early milestones involved collaboration with the Global Geoparks Network and national bodies like the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (China) and the Korean Geoparks Committee. Expansion phases paralleled major events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics legacy initiatives, the establishment of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province geopark projects, and regional forums hosted in capitals including Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Bangkok. The network's institutional evolution was influenced by geopolitical and scientific actors like the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Geological Survey of Japan, the Geological Society of Malaysia and researchers affiliated with Peking University and the University of Tokyo.
Membership comprises national geoparks authorities, site managers and academic partners from Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Pacific island states including Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Governance mechanisms reflect best practices from UNESCO Global Geoparks and emulate models used by the European Geoparks Network, with a steering committee, technical advisory panels and working groups on topics such as geoconservation, tourism and education. Key institutional partners include the Ministry of Culture (Indonesia), the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (Thailand), the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and universities like Mahidol University, Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Australian National University.
Designation procedures follow the framework established by UNESCO for geoparks, emphasizing geological heritage of international significance, integrated management, conservation strategies and sustainable economic development for local communities. Candidate sites undergo scientific evaluation by panels drawn from institutions such as the Geological Survey of India, the China University of Geosciences, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources and independent experts affiliated with the International Union of Geological Sciences. Application dossiers must demonstrate links to regional planning authorities like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and satisfy monitoring protocols influenced by standards used by the Global Geoparks Network and the European Geoparks Network.
Regional initiatives address geoconservation, biodiversity protection and disaster risk reduction in collaboration with organizations such as UNDP, UNEP, IUCN and local agencies including the New Zealand Department of Conservation and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Projects integrate traditional knowledge from indigenous groups such as the Ainu people, the Māori, the Toraja and Pacific island communities, aligning with conventions like the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Sustainable tourism programs coordinate with the World Tourism Organization, the Asia-Pacific Tourism Association and national tourism boards to develop guidelines implemented at sites including Fanjingshan, Mount Wutai, Kinabalu and Krakatau.
The network promotes geoscience education through partnerships with academic institutions including Tsinghua University, Seoul National University, University of Auckland, University of Malaya and research bodies such as the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology and the CSIRO. It sponsors field schools, citizen science projects and interpretive programming involving museums like the Hong Kong Museum of History, the National Museum of Natural Science (Taiwan) and the Perth Museum. Community engagement emphasizes livelihood diversification for communities around sites such as Lijiang, Toba Caldera, Kawah Ijen and Jeju, with capacity building funded through grants from the Asian Development Bank and multilateral cooperation with USAID and DFID-affiliated programs.
Representative geoparks connected through the regional network include Zhangye National Geopark, Danxia Landform (China) sites, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, Jeju, Gunung Batur, Batur Caldera, Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global Geopark, Langkawi Geopark, Krakatoa (volcano), Mount Aso, Toba Caldera, Kinabalu National Park, Fanjingshan, Shilin (Stone Forest), Giant's Causeway is not in the region but its management models are often referenced, while Pacific examples include Rapa Nui connections via comparative programs and island partners such as Easter Island collaborators. These sites are often used as case studies by institutions like the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Global Geoparks Network for best-practice dissemination.
Category:Geoparks Category:UNESCO