From November 22nd to 26th, 2022, Dak Nong will host the 20th International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology (ISV), with the theme: "Conservation and sustainable development of volcanoes and vulcanospeleology ".
Bang Mo Volcano
In 2022, Dak Nong was honored to be selected by the Committee of Volcanic Caves of the Union Internationale de Spéléologie as the host for the 20th International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology (ISV20). This is the first time, an International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology (ISV) has been held in Vietnam.
The ISV is the most important activity of the Union Internationale de Spéléologie and the Committee of Volcanic Caves (UIS-CVC) to create a forum for exchanging information, researched results and connecting members in this field. The symposium is held once two years. The ISV and the congresses of UIS-CVC, UIS-CVC will hold a meeting of the Executive Board to discuss and vote on important issues for the Association's activities in the coming years.
The first ISV was held in the Hawaiian Islands in 1972. The countries that have hosted ISVs in recent years including: Ecuador (Galapagos Islands), Spain (Canary Islands), South Korea. , Jordan, Australia, Iceland and the USA (Hawaii and California). The most recent one is the 19th ISV held in Italy (Catania-Sicily) in August 2021.
In July 2020, Dak Nong Geopark was recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark. The name "Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark (Viet Nam)" officially appeared on the map of Global Geopark Network, including 177 destinations. Dak Nong is the 3rd locality in Vietnam and the 164th in the world to have Geopark recognized by UNESCO as Global Geopark.
In 2021, despite a "nascent" member of Global Geopark Network, Dak Nong Global Geopark has taken the initiative in international integration in this new field, and has boldly proposed and successfully defended records, thereby honoring Dak Nong was unanimously selected by Committee of Volcanic Caves of Union Internationale de Spéléologie as the host for the ISV20 in 2022.
Dak Nong is the host of the ISV20 that is an important external event, helping the locality to effectively introduce and promote the volcanic cave system - geological heritage (with traces of prehistoric human culture) of international stature in Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark. At the same time, it attracts scientists to research, and further enhance the value of the cave system, typical cultural values; sharing experiences, contributing to the conservation and effective exploitation of international heritage of Dak Nong.
Dak Nong actively hosts an international scientific event that affirms the province's determination to preserve and rationally use heritage values, especially international geological heritages. Through events at the Symposium, Dak Nong wishes to find investors to accompany Dak Nong to invest in, develop tourism infrastructure, and connect infrastructure to destinations in Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark to realize its views: "Developing tourism on the basis of promoting natural advantages, cultural values - indigenous ecological characteristics, Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark", making tourism to become one of the three main areas of economic development economy of Dak Nong, according to the orientation of the Resolution of the 12th Provincial Party Congress.
The scientific conference is also an opportunity for Dak Nong to learn international experiences in the field of conservation, management and sustainable exploitation of heritage, serving the development of local tourism. At the same time, enhance the position of Dak Nong - Vietnam in the world, strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding among countries in the region on conservation and sustainable exploitation of geological heritages.
The ISV20 is also an event for Dak Nong to celebrate Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day, November 23rd.
KEY ACTIVITIES OF ISV20
1. The 20th International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology
The topic of the ISV20 is "Conservation and Sustainable Development of Volcanoes and Volcanic Caves". It was expanded to include the system of volcanoes - which are the origin of volcanic caves and are also valuable geological heritages that Dak Nong and some other provinces possess in Vietnam.
Time: From November 22nd to November 26th, 2022.
Venue: Workshops are held at Provincial Convention Center (Gia Nghia City, Dak Nong Province).
Organization form: Face-to-face and online.
Lead agency: Dak Nong Provincial People's Committee chaired and coordinated with Institute of Geosciences and Minerals (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) and Vietnam Museum of Nature (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) .
Consulting and supporting agencies: Union Internationale de Spéléologie (UIS), and Committee of Volcanic Caves (UIS-CVC), Vietnam UNESCO National Committee - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Seminars of the ISV20:
+ ISV20 Seminar - Theme 1: Geology/Geomorphology/Volcano formation process/Cave survey report and data;
+ ISV20 Seminar - Theme 2: Using caves / Biology in caves / Volcano formation process / Geology / Management and protection of caves;
+ ISV20 Seminar - Theme 3: Geology/ Cave survey report and data / Management and protection of caves
2. "15 years of geopark development in Vietnam" Symposium.
"15 years of geopark development in Vietnam" Symposium was organized by Dak Nong People's Committee coordinating with Specialized Subcommittee on Geoparks of National Committee of UNESCO Vietnam held at Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark. This is an event to celebrate the 15-year geopark development in Vietnam, an opportunity for agencies, departments, sectors and localities to look back 15-year journey with achievements and lessons, share difficulties and challenges in the process of building and developing geoparks.
The symposium is also an opportunity for central and local agencies to exchange and find solutions to promote and attract tourists to geoparks; solutions to promote propaganda and training to raise community awareness; solutions in management, construction and development of geoparks in Vietnam in a sustainable way according to UNESCO's criteria.
Time: From November 22nd to November 24th, 2022 in the 1,200-seat Hall, Provincial Convention Center, it is held by face – to – face and online format, with the participation of delegates from central ministries, branches, and delegates of UNESCO Office in Hanoi, delegates from Vietnam National Committee of UNESCO, national and international experts and UNESCO Global Geoparks and potential Geoparks in Vietnam.
In addition, there will be a meeting to review the work in 2022 of the Specialized Subcommittee on Global Geoparks of Vietnam UNESCO National Committee.
3. International exchange activities of members of UNESCO Global Geopark.
The Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony between Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark Management Board (Vietnam) and Mudeungsan UNESCO Global Geopark Management Board (Korea);
The online meeting of UNESCO Global Geoparks with volcanic and volcanic caves geological heritage in UNESCO Global Geopark Network in Asia-Pacific.
4. Field survey activities in Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark.
The delegates and international scientists participated in the field survey of Dak Nong volcanic cave system and destinations in Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark.