The Second United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Conference on Geoparks will take place at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from September 17 - 21, 2006.

With the theme of "celebrating earth heritage - sustaining local communities," the conference will be preceded and succeeded by a series of excursions.

Organized by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Fermanagh District Council and the European Geoparks Network, the conference is aimed at people involved in the promotion of geological heritage around the world and people who are using geological heritage to develop tourism.

The organizing committee said the main aims of the conference are:

To reflect on the growing development of the geopark initiative across the world and to celebrate earth heritage.

To discuss mechanisms that will ensure the continued growth of the initiative and the strengthening of the Global Geoparks Network.

To examine how links between geoscientists and the tourism industry can enhance sustainable economic development of geoparks

To discuss the economic benefit of geoparks to sustain local communities

To discuss methods of technique for safeguarding geoparks' geological heritage

The conference, an official UNESCO event, will attract a full international delegate list with large delegations coming from China, Europe and North America.

(China Daily July 21, 2006)