From October 8th to 13th, 2023, the 7th International Training course on UNESCO Global Geopark Management and Development was held in Zhangye UGGp, supported by the Global Geoparks Network and the UNESCO Global Geopark Secretariat, jointly hosted by China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and Zhangye UGGp .  Approximately 160 experts, scholars, and geopark staff participated in the event. Deputy Director of the Administration of the Alxa Desert UGGp, Humujiletu, was invited by the organizers to share geopark management experiences.

Humujiletu introduced the achievements of geoheritage investigation carried out by the Alxa Desert UGGp and the experience of promoting community participation in geopark development through collaborative construction, under the theme of "Strengthening Basic Geological Science Research to Promote High-Quality Development of Geoparks." He shared these insights with attending experts, scholars, and geopark counterparts, engaging in interactive exchanges with them at the site. His presentation was highly commended by the attendees.

The international training program centered on the theme of "The Connections between Geological Heritage, Nature, Biodiversity, and Cultural Heritage," featuring lectures by instructors from the UNESCO World Geopark Council, the World Geopark Network Executive Committee, the World Geopark Network, and experts from the field of geological parks in China. The program covered detailed explanations on the concept, standards, management, network exchanges, capacity building, and the matters to be considered during the application, assessment, and re-assessment of World Geoparks, through a series of methods including thematic lectures, problem analysis, group discussions, and case studies. Attendees also had the opportunity to conduct practical field visits to Zhangye World Geopark.

During the training period, the Alashan Desert World Geological Park also engaged in discussions and exchanges with its "sister parks" - the Wutoushan World Geological Park and the Qinling Zhongnan Mountains World Geological Park.

Figure 1: Group Photo from the 7th UNESCO World Geopark Management and Development International Training Program

Figure 2: Hu Mugeli, invited by the organizers, shares experience for an exchange session.

Figure 3: Experts, scholars, and participants engage in interactive discussions.

Figure 4: Sister parks engage in discussions and exchanges.