Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (Hong Kong Geopark) was confirmed to have passed revalidation and was awarded a certificate, allowing it to retain its global status for a further four-year period, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department said today.
The official confirmation was made at the 224th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO, which concluded yesterday.
The department welcomed the result, stating that conservation, education, green tourism and sustainable development are the primary objectives of Hong Kong Geopark.
It will continue to promote science popularisation, green tourism and the sustainable development of the communities within the Geopark, while protecting Hong Kong’s natural and cultural heritage.
Hong Kong Geopark was designated as a National Geopark of China in 2009 and joined the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) in 2011. After the formalisation of the Geopark Programme by UNESCO in 2015, it was renamed Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.
According to the guidelines, all UNESCO Global Geoparks must undergo a revalidation process every four years.
Hong Kong Geopark underwent an on-site assessment by evaluators in May last year. The evaluators reviewed the achievements of Hong Kong Geopark over the past four years and held detailed discussions with various stakeholders and partner organisations of the Geopark.
In September last year, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council recommended that Hong Kong Geopark pass the revalidation with a “green card” while the GGN presented the Best Practice Award to Hong Kong Geopark in recognition of its contributions to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Geopark’s communities.
