UNESCO Global Geoparks

Creation of the global network

The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) (also known as the Global Network of National Geoparks) is UNESCO assisted network established in 1998. Managed under the body's Ecological and Earth Sciences Division, the GGN seeks the promotion and conservation of the planet's geological heritage, as well as encourages the sustainable research and development by the concerned communities. Since 2015, its members are officially designated as UNESCO Global Geoparks.

The first batch of members to the GGN were announced during the first International Conference on Geoparks in 2004.

Geopark admission to the global network

The international network seeks the membership geoparks—geographical areas where geological heritage is the focus of local protection, education and development.

A set of criteria as established by UNESCO must first be met for a geopark, as nominated by the corresponding government, to be included in the GGN:

• the existence of a management plan designed to foster socio-economic development that is sustainable (most likely to be based on agritourism and geotourism);
• demonstrate methods for conserving and enhancing geological heritage and provide means for teaching geoscientific disciplines and broader environmental issues;
• joint-proposals submitted by public authorities, local communities and private interests acting together, which demonstrate the best practices with respect to Earth heritage conservation and its integration into sustainable development strategies. One such initiative is GEOfood, originally developed in Norway but now promoting local produce in global geoparks worldwide.

Criteria satisfaction is evaluated during biennial meetings (every even year) by the Geoparks Committee, known as the International Conference on Geoparks, which is also in charge with the periodic review of projects related to geological awareness. The first members of the GGN were named during the first conference in 2004, and it has continued to grow since then:

The GGN works closely with another project under UNESCO's Ecological and Earth Sciences Division—the Man and Biosphere (MAB) World Network of Biosphere Reserves—to come up with and establish different means of sustainable development in promoting the local communities’ relationship with the natural environment.

Structure by continent and UNESCO region

The following table contains the detailed articles on the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGG) and further international recognition frameworks of the geoheritage of each continents and their representative regional geopark networks.

Africa

Asia Pacific

Europe

North America

Latin America and the Caribbean

Continent and UNESCO-Region Notes

Geopark list by country and continent

Many of the names in the list below appear in slightly different forms in different documents or webpages, particularly where they have been anglicised. Dates of accession to network, where not otherwise referenced are taken from UNESCO website.

Note * Kula Volcanic Geopark designated in 2013 was extended and renamed as Kula Salihli in 2020

Geoparks no longer in the GGN

Whilst the length of the list has grown year on year, some members drop out from time to time, either by choice or by failing the network's revalidation procedures. UNESCO Global Geoparks are given this designation for a period of four years after which the functioning and quality of each UNESCO Global Geopark is thoroughly re-examined during a revalidation process.

Notes

A. Names and spellings used for the elements were based on the official list as https://youtube.com/@CityofSydney?feature=shared.

References

References

1. "UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp)".
2. "Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the UNESCO Global Geoparks". UNESCO Global Geoparks.
3. (24 May 2023). "UNESCO names 18 new Global Geoparks".
4. [http://www.unesco.org/science/earth UNESCO Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences]
5. [http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001500/150007e.pdf Global Geoparks Network]
6. [http://www.unesco.org/science/earth/doc/geopark/2008guidelinesJuneendorsed.pdf Application Guidelines and Self-Evaluation form for Membership in the Global Geoparks Network]
7. "GEOfood: Geoparks, People, Nature and Food".
8. "9th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks".
9. "404 Page Error-Global Network of National Geoparks".
10. (20 January 2021). "List of Geoparks & Regional Networks".
11. "Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
12. [https://en.unesco.org/news/13-sites-africa-asia-europe-and-north-america-receive-unesco-global-geopark-label UNESCO Media Services] 17 April 2018
13. (April 13, 2024). "ARARIPE UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK".
14. "Seridó UNESCO Global Geopark".
15. (2024-04-13). "UNESCO includes two Brazilian areas in list of global geoparks {{!}} Agência Brasil".
16. (2024-04-13). "Quarta Colônia UNESCO Global Geopark {{!}} UNESCO".
17. (2024-04-13). "Caçapava UNESCO Global Geopark {{!}} UNESCO".
18. (27 March 2024). "Brazilian geopark receives UNESCO recognition". agenciabrasil.
19. (10 July 2020). "UNESCO designates 15 new Geoparks in Asia, Europe, and Latin America". UNESCO.
20. "Percé UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
21. (April 17, 2019). "Eleven sites and extensions in Asia, Europe, and South America receive UNESCO Global Geopark Label". [[UNESCO]].
22. "Fangshan Geopark".
23. "Guangwushan Nuoshuihe UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
24. "Huanggang Dabieshan UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
25. [https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42959&Cr=&Cr1=#.UMZ-MOQyK8m UN News Centre], 21 September 2012
26. (26 September 2014). "Nine new sites added to Global Geoparks Network".
27. (10 July 2020). "UNESCO designates 15 new Geoparks in Asia, Europe, and Latin America". UNESCO.
28. "Beaujolais UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
29. [http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/nine_sites_added_to_global_geoparks_network/ UNESCO Media Services] 19 September 2011
30. "Belitong recognized as UNESCO Global Geopark status {{!}} Portal Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia".
31. "Ciletuh Palabuhanratu UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
32. "Ciletuh officially declared as UNESCO Global Geopark". Antara News.
33. "Ijen Geopark gets UNESCO Global Geopark status {{!}} Portal Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia".
34. "Geopark Maros-Pangkep Masuk dalam UNESCO Global Geopark {{!}} Pemerintah Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan".
35. "Unesco designates Mount Rinjani as global geopark". Antara News.
36. "Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
37. "Toba Caldera Geopark".
38. "Kaldera Toba ditetapkan sebagai UNESCO Global Geopark {{!}} Portal Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia".
39. "404 Page Error-Global Network of National Geoparks".
40. "404 Page Error-Global Network of National Geoparks".
41. "Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
42. "Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
43. "Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark {{!}} UNESCO".
44. UNESCO. "List of International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme". UNESCO.
45. "Mudeungsan Area UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
46. "Conca de Tremp Montsec UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
47. "Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
48. "Satun UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
49. "Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO.
50. "Revalidation Process of UNESCO Global Geoparks".
51. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-15773368 Lochaber loses Unesco geopark status], BBC News, 17 November 2011