Global geological experts and Korea Heritage Service (KHS) Administrator Huh Min pose with the Key Geoheritage Areas Korea Declaration at the BEXCO convention center in Busan, Wednesday. Courtesy of KHS
BUSAN — Global discussions on the systematic conservation of geological heritage sites gained major momentum in Busan, Wednesday, during an international symposium that adopted the Key Geoheritage Areas (KGA) Korea Declaration.
The symposium, titled "K-Geoheritage: Current Status and Future Perspectives," featured 13 presentations from global scholars including Robbert Casier, World Heritage program development officer at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, ProGEO President Kevin Page and José Brilha, former president of ProGEO and UNESCO chair on geodiversity and geoconservation.
"We want to build a new framework for international cooperation so that protecting our geological heritage becomes a core focus of 21st-century nature conservation. This will help us seamlessly connect protection, management, research and education," Korea Heritage Service (KHS) Administrator Huh Min said in his welcoming remarks. "It is my sincere hope that global cooperation centered around KGAs will grow even stronger moving forward."
The KGAs refer to internationally significant geological elements — such as fossils, minerals and unique landforms — that are vital to understanding Earth’s history and life's evolution.
Driven by Korea's initiative, the conference marked the first international event dedicated to establishing global standards, conservation programs and a worldwide cooperation platform for KGAs.
Robbert Casier, left, World Heritage programme development officer at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and José Brilha, former president of ProGEO, speak during a press conference for "K-Geoheritage: Current Status and Future Perspectives” international symposium at BEXCO, Busan, Wednesday. Courtesy of Korea Heritage Service
While nature conservation typically focuses on biodiversity and ecosystems, the protection of geological heritage sites is just as critical.
Korea has two Natural World Heritage sites — Jeju volcanic island and lava tubes, and Korean tidal flats or "getbol" — and now aims to enlist dinosaur fossil sites along its southern coast.
Recognizing this, geologists worldwide are increasingly calling for active research to identify, preserve and utilize these irreplaceable global assets for their cultural and ecological worth.
Source: Korea Times News
