The Royal Thai Department of Mineral Resources and CCOP Technical Secretariat, organized the East and Southeast Asia Geopark Symposium, which was held on 26-30 March 2013 at Sunee Grand Hotel, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. The symposium focused on issues related to geoheritage sites and proposed areas for geopark in South, Southeast and East Asia. Geoheritage sites can be used as geological evidences and correlation standards, and supporting materials for further geological researches, and in turn can help to enhance the community socio-economic benefits on the basis of integrated development and management.
The symposium was opened by Dr. Phitya Pukaman, Vice Minister of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand with 200 participants from CCOP Member Countries and local Thai participants. The symposium included one day technical presentations by Geopark Technical Experts from Finland, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia and exhibition displaying Geopark activities in Thailand. Moreover, the organizer also arranged 3 days excursion to visit several Geosites in Ubon Ratchathani and Kalasin provinces in order to discuss and exchange information among the participants and expert group. The symposium was very successful in terms of participation and networking on Geopark within Southeast and East Asia region.