What is an UNESCO Global Geopark?
UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular. At present, there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries. A full list is available with more details on each geopark.
UNESCO’s work with geoparks began in 2001. In 2004, 17 European and 8 Chinese geoparks came together at UNESCO headquarters in Paris to form the Global Geoparks Network (GGN)(link is external) where national geological heritage initiatives contribute to and benefit from their membership of a global network of exchange and cooperation.
On 17 November 2015, the 195 Member States of UNESCO ratified the creation of a new label, the UNESCO Global Geoparks, during the 38th General Conference of the Organisation. This expresses governmental recognition of the importance of managing outstanding geological sites and landscapes in a holistic manner.
The Organization supports Member States’ efforts to establish UNESCO Global Geoparks all around the world, in close collaboration with the Global Geoparks Network.
Global Geoparks Network
UNESCO’s work with Geoparks began in 2001. Then in 2004, 17 European and 8 Chinese geoparks came together at UNESCO headquarters in Paris to form the GGN where national geological heritage initiatives contribute to and benefit from their membership of a global network of exchange and cooperation. Ever Since, Geoparks through the GGN have grown to include 120 sites in 33 counties. They have become an increasingly important tool for UNESCO to engage Member States and their communities in the Earth Sciences and geological heritage.
During the 38th session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 2015, the 195 Member States of UNESCO ratified the creation of a new label, the UNESCO Global Geoparks. This expresses governmental recognition of the importance of managing outstanding geological sites and landscapes in a holistic manner, and also provides a new international status to a former network of sites of geological significance, preferably allowing the Organization to more closely reflect the societal challenges of Earth Science today.
Now the UNESCO supports Member States’ efforts to establish UNESCO Global Geoparks all around the world especially in the developing territories without a Geopark, in close collaboration with the Global Geoparks Network.
European Geoparks Network
The European Geoparks Network was established in June 2000 in Lesvos, by operators responsible for the management of areas with special geological heritage in 4 European countries: Reserve Géologique de Haute-Provence (France), Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest (Greece), Geopark Gerolstein, Vulkaneifel (Germany), Maestrazgo Cultural Park (Spain)
These bodies have decided to cooperate within a European network, sought and encourage the participation in the network of areas from all over Europe, aiming to the protection, utilization and promotion of geological heritage through cooperation and exchange of good-practice and experience.
Key objectives are the promotion of environmental education and of sustainable development of the Geoparks areas, through the development of activities that contribute to the establishment of thematic tourism. Network members are holders of the distinguishing sign “European Geopark”, which has been enshrined in all EU countries. Since 2015, the European Geoparks Network operates as the regional network in Europe of the Global Geoparks Network. As of November 2021, 81 UNESCO Global Geoparks from 23 European countries participate in the European Geoparks Network.
