To ensure Hong Kong Geopark’s continued eligibility as a member of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is preparing for the 2015 reassessment by UNESCO. 

The Director of the AFCD, Mr. Alan Wong, met with the Section Chief of UNESCO’s Global Earth Observation Section, Professor Patrick McKeever, in Paris, France, on May 29, 2013. Mr. Wong reported on the preparatory work for the revalidation of Hong Kong Geopark’s status as a member of the GGN with a focus on management, conservation, the geopark’s popularity, local community participation, accessibility of information, visitor centres, science popularisation, the accredited geopark guide system, exchanges, sharing, and contribution to the GGN. 

To enhance the sustainable development of geotourism, geo-education and geoheritage, Hong Kong Global Geopark of China will sign a cooperation agreement with the Messel Pit World Heritage Site on June 2. Messel Pit is part of Germany’s Bergstrasse-Odenwald Geopark and is the richest site in the world for understanding the living environment of the Eocene, between 57 million and 36 million years ago. It provides unique information about the early stages of the evolution of mammals and includes exceptionally well-preserved mammal fossils.

Hong Kong Global Geopark of China signed a sister arrangement with Bergstrasse-Odenwald in 2011. This cooperation will further strengthen the existing relationship between the two geoparks and allow opportunities for further collaboration in geopark conservation and scientific research for sustainable development," an AFCD spokesman said today (May 30).

In September 2011, Hong Kong National Geopark was accepted as a member of the GGN, which is supported by UNESCO, and was renamed “Hong Kong Global Geopark of China”. This global geopark status has to be reevaluated every four years, so Hong Kong Global Geopark of China will have to be revalidated in 2015.