Asia Pacific Geoparks Network

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Asia Pacific Geoparks Network
Asia-Pacific.png
Region of the Asia Pacific geoparks
EtymologyAsia 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."

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.

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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:

Regional Administrative Members

The personnel recognized as official members of the regional agency are:

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

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Alxa Desert
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Arxan
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Bohol Island
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Dali-Cangshan
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Danxiashan
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Dunhuang
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Fangshan
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FUN
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GN
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Hexigten
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Hong Kong
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HD
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1
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Jingpohu
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2
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Keketuohai
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Leiqiong
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LF
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LON
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LUS
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Mount Kunlun
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Ningde
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QZ
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3
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SHE
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SHI
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SON
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Taining
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Taishan
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4
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WD
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Wudalianchi
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Xingwen
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YAN
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Yanqing
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YIM
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YUN
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Zhangjiajie
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ZC
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Zigong
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Batur
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Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu
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Gunung Sewu
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Rinjani
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Aso
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Itoigawa
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Izo Peninsula
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Mt. Apoi
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Muroto
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Oki Islands
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San'in Kaigan
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Toya-Usu
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UVA
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Qeshm Island
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Langkawi
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Cheongsong
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Jeju Island
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Mudeungsan
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Satun
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Khorat
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DV
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NCB
Asia Pacific Geoparks Network
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 NetworkNumber of UNESCO Global GeoparksNumber of national geoparksReference
Chinese National Geoparks 39236 [5]
Indonesian National Geoparks 415 [6]
Japanese National Geoparks 935 [7]
Korean National Geoparks 37 [8]
Malaysian National Geoparks 2
Philippine National Geoparks 1 [9]
Thai National Geoparks 24
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.

SymposiumVenue
1st Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network SymposiumLangkawi UGG, Malaysia 2007
2nd Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium Hanoi, Vietnam July 2011
3rd Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network SymposiumJeju UGG Korea September 2013
4th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium San'in Kaigan UGG, Japan September 2015
5th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network SymposiumZhijindong Cave UGG, China September 2017
6th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network SymposiumRinjani-Lombok UGG, Indonesia September 2019

See also

References

  1. "APGN Geoparks – Asia Pacific Geoparks Network". asiapacificgeoparks.org. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  2. "UNESCO Global Geoparks List|UNESCO". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  3. "Waitaki Whitestone Geopark | Aotearoa New Zealand". Whitestone Geopark. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  4. "APGN Rules of Operation" (PDF). Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  5. "Chinese Geoparks Network (in Chinese only)". www.geopark.cn. Archived from the original on 2019-12-22. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  6. "Indonesia Geopark National Committee". www.idgeoparks.id. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  7. "Japanese Geoparks Network". geopark.jp. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  8. "국가지질공원 대국민서비스". www.koreageoparks.kr. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  9. "Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark | UNESCO". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 2023-05-25.