The First International Conference on Geoparks in Beijing has proved to be a renaissance for geology, contributing to geological protection and sustainable development, an official with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said yesterday.

A very broad base for geosite preservation has been set up and different activities have taken off, said Wolfgang Eder, director of the UNESCO's Division of Earth Sciences at the closing ceremony of the International Conference on Geoparks.

An increasing number of countries are ready to join the global network of geoheritage preservation, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and some Latin American and African countries, according to Eder.

The conference is of great significance in helping to promote geological heritage preservation, geo-science knowledge and contributing to sustainable development, Shou Jiahua, vice-minister of land and resources, said at closing ceremonies.

"We are confident that, with UNESCO's unremitting efforts of international communities, geoheritage protection will be intensified across the globe and the earth the homeland of human beings will become more beautiful," said Shou, who is also the chairwoman of the conference.

The three-day conference provided a platform for more than 500 participants from 42 countries to exchange their experiences in the protection of geological remains and the construction of geoparks.

As a fruit of the conference, the Beijing Declaration on the Protection of the Geological Heritage of the World was passed.

It stated:

Considering that the Earth's record retains memories of the processes that generated and formed the planet as part of the Solar System, as well as of the history of climate, life and humanity;

And recalling that the well-being of humanity depends upon water, mineral and energy resources, while preserving a healthy planet with fertile soils, a safe living environment and clean water and air;

The participants from 42 countries attending the conference exchanged views concerning the protection of geological heritage and sustainable development including the general responsibility of humankind for environmental protection and economic development, and having come to a reasonable common understanding, and declare:

The common future of the peoples of the world lies in the possibility of exploring, developing and revealing the known and unknown values and resources of the Earth in a wise manner, with a view to improving people's living standards and creating a beautiful and safe environment in all the countries of the world.

Geological heritage offers the precious evidence of features that are formed and preserved under endogenous and exogenous geological processes in the course of the evolution of the Earth, including geological and geomorphological elements.

The discovery and evaluation of the scientific, aesthetic and other values of geological heritage provided a base for the concept of protection and safeguarding. It entails the recognition of the potential development of resources in all areas of the globe and will enable the socio-economic sustainable development of areas of concern.

The time has come to intensify the global efforts to safeguard and promote geological heritage. It should be protected and its resources sustainably developed to provide society with the appropriate means for living.

There are two key ways to protect geological heritage. One is to establish geological natural reserves, and the second is to identify and secure areas as Geoparks following the definition of UNESCO.

The participants of the conference also propose that:

In order to guarantee sustainable development for future generations of all countries, measures should be taken to ensure protection and safeguarding of geological heritage.

The UNESCO philosophy and strategy concerning Geoparks should be adopted, acknowledging the focus on improving scientific understanding, resource conservation, local economic development, respect of cultural heritage, popularization of Earth sciences and education and enhanced tourism.

Any action that will lead to damage of the geological heritage should be avoided, including the illicit trade in fossils or minerals.

International co-operation in the field of geological heritage conservation and Geoparks should be enhanced.

The conference also passed the Constitution of the International Geoparks Conference to give an operational guideline for the future activities.

Jiang Jianjun, director-general of the Department of Geological Environment under the Ministry of Land and Resources, presented the flag of the conference to a representative of Ireland. Ireland will host the second international conference on geoparks in 2006.

Starting today, participants of the conference will have a one-week field trip to visit the nation's world geoparks along different tourist routes.

(China Daily 06/30/2004 page16)