On October 8-13, 2023, Ningde UNESCO Global Geopark participated in the 7th International Training Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks held in Zhangye, Gansu Province.

This training course is jointly organized by China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and Zhangye UNESCO Global Geopark, with technical support from Aegean University in Greece. The training course invited Nikolaos Zouros, Chairman of the Global Geoparks Network, Jin Xiaochu, Vice Chairman of the Global Geoparks Network, Nakata Setsuya, Vice Chairman of the Global Geoparks Council, Ibrahim Komoo, Vice Chairman of the Global Geoparks Network, Zhang Jianping, Member of the Global Geoparks Network Executive Board, Marie-Luise Frey, Member of the Global Geoparks Council, and Zheng Yuan, Senior Geopark Evaluator, as lecturers. Geopark experts Tian Mingzhong and Wu Fadong attended the training.

The training course provided detailed lectures on the concept and operation of geoparks, structures and activities, application standards, identification and management of geological heritage, challenges and opportunities of geopark management of natural, biological diversity and cultural heritage, geological research and evaluation of geological heritage, and geological disaster mitigation. In the case analysis session, staff from Xiangxi Geopark, Hong Kong Geopark, and Alxa Geopark shared their advanced experience in park management and construction, strengthening exchanges and mutual learning. In the "Roundtable Discussion" session, representatives of the parks and renowned experts met face-to-face to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the world geoparks and their future development directions, and experts answered questions on the spot based on the actual situation of the parks.

Since the first training course in 2016, the International Training Course on UNESCO Global Geoparks has played a positive role in the management and sustainable development of many geoparks. The next international training course will be held in Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark in 2024.