Asia Pacific Geoparks Network
The Asia Pacific Geoparks Network is the regional geopark network of the Global Geoparks Network and the UNESCO International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme. 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 in countries. The Pacific region is currently not represented by a global geopark, but there are ongoing geopark projects, just as in other countries of Asia.
Organization
The APGN was founded in 2007 based on the proposal at the 1st Asia Pacific Geoparks Symposium in Langkawi. It was endorsed by GGN in 2008 and became its official regional geopark network in 2013, in compliance with its Rules of Operation.Governing bodies
- 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 by two official nominated representatives from each UNESCO Global Geopark of the network 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.
Members
- Institutional Members: UNESCO Global Geoparks 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 and Coordination Committee.
- Cooperating Members: international organizations, institutions or individuals providing substantial financial or other assistance to GGN/APGN.
Geoparks
National geoparks networks
Some member states of APGN have established their national geopark networks. They organize the activities of GGN on a national level and help the application process of geoparks from project to a national geopark or UNESCO Global Geopark status.| National Network | Number of UNESCO Global Geoparks | Number of national geoparks | Reference |
| Chinese Geoparks Network | 39 | 236 | |
| Indonesia Geoparks Network | 4 | 15 | |
| Japanese Geoparks Network | 9 | 35 | |
| Korean Geoparks Network | 3 | 7 | |
| Vietnam Geoparks Network | 2 |
Meetings and activities
As a regional geopark networks, 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 |