Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, recently attended the Changbaishan Global Geopark & Biosphere Reserve Sustainable Development Conference and delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. Promoting Sustainable Development According to Gao Haizhu, Director of the Jilin Provincial Forestry and Grassland Administration, Jilin Province boasts 167 nature reserves, covering 16.7% of the total area of the province, making it one of the provinces with the highest number and variety of nature reserves in China. The sustainability of these reserves is a shared responsibility that necessitates collaboration between the international community, organizations, and research institutions. Enhancing Management Efficiencies Wang Ding, Secretary General of the China National Committee for Man and the Biosphere, highlighted the importance of scientific and efficient management at the conference. He emphasized the need for synergy between designated sites to create a global model of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, particularly within UNESCO-endorsed sites. Impact of Changbaishan Global Geopark The Mount Changbaishan Global Geopark, officially opened on June 14th, spans 2723.8 square kilometers and features Quaternary volcanic landforms. He Qingcheng, Executive Deputy Director of the National Geopark Network Center, noted that the geopark's endorsement not only benefits the region but also adds value to the global geopark network by promoting sustainable development and public awareness of geological heritage. UNESCO's Contribution The UNESCO-endorsed Global Geopark model successfully combines the preservation of geological heritage with sustainable development and community engagement. To date, there are 213 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 48 countries, with China leading the pack with 47 global geoparks. Future Collaboration and Development Ahead of the conference, Prof. Shahbaz Khan met with key stakeholders to discuss collaborations and share insights. He expressed admiration for Changbaishan's progress in ecosystem and biodiversity conservation over the years and provided valuable suggestions for future development. Prof. Khan looks forward to further cooperation with Changbaishan on ecological civilization, ecotourism, and sustainable development initiatives.