In the morning of October 25, 2014, the Institute of Karst Geology CAGS and the International Research Center on Karst under the Auspices of UNESCO held a special symposium for 9 students from 6 ASEAN countries (Cambodia,the Philippines,Laos,Malaysia,Burma,and Thailand) during international training course “Karst Ecosystem and Geological Microorganism”. 

At the symposium, which lasted almost three hours,participants had a heated discussion on programs “Geological Maps of Karst Environment in China and Southeast Asia Region”,“World Geopark and World Natural Heritage Declaration”, and “Global Network Construction of Karst Carbon Sink Monitoring”. The following leaders attended the symposium: Mr.Hans,Program Executive of UNESCO Beijing Office, Jiang Yuchi, Director of the Institute of Karst Geology CAGS and Director of the International Research Center on Karst under the Auspices of UNESCO, and Zhang Fawang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Karst Geology CAGS. 

Students from ASEAN countries were very interested in Program “Geological Maps of Karst Environment in China and Southeast Asia Region” and held that the program would greatly promote research,development and utilization of regional underground water resources.

All present members of ASEAN countries signed on minutes of meeting designated for the program and would hand them into related competent departments of their countries in order to cooperate with Chinese counterparts in the future.

As for “World Geopark and World Natural Heritage Declaration”, Researcher Chen Weihai of the Institute of Karst Geology talked about China’s declaration for world geoparks and world natural heritage, as well as the advantages and achievements of the Institute of Karst Geology in this field, which aroused great interests of ASEAN students. Students from Laos said that they had drafted a declaration for a world natural heritage program and wanted to get support from the Institute of Karst Geology. Mr.Hans answered questions on geological parks and natural heritage from ASEAN students.

“Global Network Construction of Karst Carbon Sink Monitoring” gained positive response of all ASEAN students, who said that they would be dedicated to support and promote the program in their own countries. 

After the symposium, Director Jiang Yuchi expressed a wish that the International Research Center on Karst under the Auspices of UNESCO could help strengthen communication, promote international and regional cooperation in the field of karst, and thus push scientific research on karst.