On October 17, 2025, the first RCEP Member States World Heritage Cooperation Alliance Conference was successfully held in Huangshan, China, gathering representatives from government agencies, heritage sites, academic institutions, and international organizations from across the RCEP member countries. The conference marked a significant milestone in fostering cooperation among nations committed to the conservation and sustainable development of World Heritage sites within the RCEP region.
GSTC CEO Randy Durband delivered a congratulatory video message, extending his support for the establishment of the Alliance and highlighting the importance of aligning global heritage management with sustainable tourism principles. Representing the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Board Member and Founder of Colorful Earth, Koko Tang, attended the conference in person and delivered an insightful keynote speech emphasizing the vital role of sustainability in preserving both the cultural and natural integrity of heritage destinations.
During her remarks, Ms. Tang underscored that World Heritage sites are not only treasures of humanity but also living landscapes that support communities, local economies, and ecosystems. She noted that effective management and responsible tourism can serve as powerful tools to protect these sites while ensuring that their surrounding communities benefit from sustainable development.
On behalf of GSTC, Ms. Tang signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the RCEP Member States World Heritage Cooperation Alliance, formalizing a shared commitment to promote and apply standards, expand cooperative engagement, knowledge sharing and technical guidance. The MOU also reflects a shared vision to advance the implementation of GSTC Standards as a framework for best practices in sustainable tourism management at heritage sites.
The RCEP region comprises 15 countries: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
