UNESCO Global Geoparks

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UNESCO Global Geoparks
Global Geoparks Network logo.jpg
Logos of the GGN
Global Geoparks Network members.jpg
World map of geoparks included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (GGN) as of 2020 [ needs update? ]
EtymologyBrand name for marketing the parks
Administered byvarious models
Camp sitesDefined by park
Hiking trailsDefined by park
TerrainSites and habitats of geological interest
WaterPossibly
VegetationPossibly
SpeciesPossibly
CollectionsPossibly
DesignationUNESCO designations of national, regional, and global geoparks
BudgetSustainable
ParkingPossibly
Connecting transportPossibly
FacilitiesPossibly
WebsiteTypically

UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) are geoparks certified by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council as meeting all the requirements for belonging to the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). The GGN is both a network of geoparks and the agency of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). [1] that administers the network.

Contents

The agency was founded in 2004 in partnership with the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The network was set up to conserve Earth's geological heritage, as well as to promote the sustainable research and development by the concerned communities. To implement these goals they adopted the concept of geopark, a term that had already been in use for one of the proposed parks. Geoparks were conceived as "single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development."

As the geopark did not naturally conform to all those requirements, compliance involved considerable work of the country where the geopark was to be located. In essence, the park had to be not only protected, but marketed sustainably to the public. In 2015, the Member States of UNESCO ratified the rebranding to the current name.

Since 2015, the application and designation process has been defined by the Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the UGGp. [2] As of April 2023, there were 195 UGGp's in 48 countries. [3] There are now GGN member sites situated in five of seven continents, there being none currently in either Antarctica or Australasia. There are not yet (2022) global geoparks in the United States. China is the country with the largest number of global geoparks.[ attribution needed ]

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. [4] [5] [6] Since 2015, its members are officially designated as UNESCO Global Geoparks. [1]

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 [2] must first be met for a geopark, as nominated by the corresponding government, to be included in the GGN:

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: [ needs update? ]

SessionYearSiteDate
1st2004 Beijing, China 27 June –7 July
2nd2006 Belfast, United Kingdom 17–21 September
3rd2008 Osnabrück, Germany 22–26 June
4th2010 Langkawi, Malaysia 12–16 April
5th2012 Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark (Shimabara, Japan)12–15 May
6th2014 Stonehammer Geopark (Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada)19–22 September
7th2016 English Riviera Geopark (Torquay, Devon, England)24–30 September
8th2018 Adamello Brenta UNESCO Global Geopark (Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino, Italy)11–14 September
9th2020 Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Republic of Korea (did not take place due to Covid)17–20 September [8]

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. [ needs update? ]

List of UGGs by continentUNESCO regionRegional geopark networkNumber of UGGs in the networkNumber of countries in the network
Africa Africa African Geoparks Network 22
Asia
Asia Asia Pacific Geoparks Network 578
Oceania
Oceania
Europe Europe and North America European Geoparks Network 7526
North America —31
Central America Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America and the Caribbean Geoparks Network 86
South America

Africa

This section is an excerpt from List of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa.[ edit ]

UNESCO has currently designated two UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa [a] , located in two state parties, Tanzania and Morocco. There are plans for national geoparks in an initial phase that could be further developed to gain the UNESCO recognition. [9] Also on an international level, several sites of geoheritage values are inscribed on the World Heritage list under criterion VIII and/or criterion VII.

Africa has a globally significant geodiversity that represents geological-geomorphological processes from the Archean to the Quaternary. [9] However, the acknowledgement of the continent's geodiversity is still lagging behind the recognition of its biodiversity, many areas of global importance are not represented under international agreements, and national legislative acts on the protection of geoheritage are limited.

Asia Pacific

This section is an excerpt from Asia Pacific Geoparks Network.[ edit ]
The Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) is the regional geopark network of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the UNESCO International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (UNESCO-IGGP). Its main role is to coordinate the activities of GGN in the UNESCO regions of Asia and the Pacific, to promote networking between global geoparks and geopark professionals in the region and to provide support for sustainable economic development in geopark areas. As of 2020 February, the APGN had 60 institutional members (UNESCO Global Geoparks) in countries. [10] [11] The Pacific region is currently not represented by a global geopark, but there are ongoing geopark projects, [12] just as in other countries of Asia.

Europe

This section is an excerpt from List of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Europe.[ edit ]
Europe [b] is the cradle of the geoparks movement. [13] The European Geoparks Network is a founding member of the Global Geoparks Network and it functions as a regional geopark network of it. As of November 2022, there are 94 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 28 European countries and there are several territories in an aspiring or planned phase, or in a national geopark status. [14] Further elements of the geodiversity of the continent is represented on the World Heritage list, under criterion VIII or VII.

North America

This section is an excerpt from List of UNESCO Global Geoparks in North America.[ edit ]
In North America, [c] there is no regional geopark network so far. As of July 2020, there are five UNESCO Global Geoparks in Canada and several aspiring geoparks projects going on, under the framework of the Canadian Geoparks Network. [15] In the United States, there are no active UNESCO Global Geoparks so far, but there are certain plans to establish geoparks, [16] applying for this label. Further elements of the geodiversity of the continent is represented on the World Heritage list, under criterion VIII or VII.

Latin America and the Caribbean

This section is an excerpt from List of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Latin America.[ edit ]
Latin America [d] is represented under the Global Geoparks Network by the geoparks of the Latin American Geoparks Network (Red GEOLAC). As of 2024, it includes 12 UNESCO Global Geoparks and further projects are in progress seeking UNESCO status or that of national geopark in South America, Central America and the Caribbean. [17]

Continent and UNESCO-Region Notes

  1. ↑ Africa is considered as the continent itself, including Northern African states that are defined under the Arabic States category in the UNESCO World Heritage Convent. Independent archipelagos are included (e.g. Seychelles), but island groups under European sovereignty (e.g. the Canary Islands) are excluded, as geoparks here are not part of the African Geoparks Network.
  2. ↑ The list of geoparks in this article presents the members of the European Geoparks Network. Some members, like in the Canary Islands or in Turkey are situated outside Europe from a physical geographical viewpoint.
  3. ↑ Mexico is member of the Latin American and the Caribbean Geoparks Network, therefore treated there. Greenland, although a territory of Denmark is treated under North America.
  4. ↑ Latin America is considered here as the Latin America and the Caribbean region of the World Heritage Convention. Geoparks are currently not included in the Latin American Geoparks Network.[ clarification needed ]

Geopark list by country and continent

Many of the names in the list below [18] 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. [19] [ needs update? ]

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. [61]

Country/TerritoryContinentGeopark [A] Year includedCeased
United KingdomEurope Lochaber 20072011 [62]
GermanyEurope Mecklenburg Ice Age Landscape 2005 ?
AustraliaAustralasia Kanawinka 2008
Austria Europe Carnic Alps Geopark 2012

Notes

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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lushan Geopark</span> Park in Jiangxi Province, China

Lushan Geopark (庐山世界地质公园) is located in the region around Mount Lu, Jiujiang. The protected area of 500 square kilometres (190 sq mi) extends from the Yangtze River to the Poyang Lake basin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geopark</span> Internationally protected area that advances the use of geological heritage in a sustainable way

A geopark is a protected area with internationally significant geology within which sustainable development is sought and which includes tourism, conservation, education and research concerning not just geology but other relevant sciences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Union of Geological Sciences</span> International non-governmental organization

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) is an international non-governmental organization devoted to international cooperation in the field of geology. As of 2023, it represents more than 1 million geoscientists around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geotourism</span> Tourism associated with geological attractions and destinations

Geotourism is tourism associated with geological attractions and destinations. Geotourism deals with the abiotic natural and built environments. Geotourism was first defined in England by Thomas Alfred Hose in 1995.

The European Geoparks Network (EGN) functions as the regional organization of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the UNESCO International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (UNESCO-IGGP). Its main objective is to ensure cooperation between geoparks for the protection of geological heritage and the promotion of sustainable development of their territories in Europe. In 2020 January, the EGN had 75 institutional members from 26 European countries and there are several aspiring geopark projects, applying for a UNESCO label and therefore the permanent EGN membership.

GeoMôn UNESCO Global Geopark is a Geopark covering the entire island of Anglesey in north Wales. It was admitted to the European Geoparks Network and to the UNESCO-assisted Global Network of National Geoparks in May 2009. It was the second Geopark to be designated in Wales, the seventh within the United Kingdom and the thirty-third in Europe. The UNESCO Geopark designation reflects the diversity of the island's geology, which encompasses solid rocks from the Precambrian to the Neogene with some Miocene sediments and extensive Pleistocene glaciation features from the Quaternary period. GeoMôn covers 720 square kilometres and has 125 miles of coastal walks.

The Novohrad – Nógrád Geopark (NNG), a geopark straddling the border between Hungary and Slovakia, is one of the first transnational geoparks in the world. It is a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and European Geoparks Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark</span> Dunhuang UNESCO National Geopark.

Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark (Chinese: 敦煌雅丹国家地质公园), officially Dunhuang UNESCO National Geopark (China), is a 2015 approved UNESCO national geopark in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, that shows the Yardang geological feature of the area. Fully certified, the park must also be a member of the regional network, in this case the Asia Pacific Geoparks Network and the Global Geopark Network. Yardangs, the chief feature of geologic interest, were created over time by the soft part of the earth's surface being eroded by wind and rain, with the hard part of the rocks remaining in the desert.

Geoheritage is the geological aspect of natural and cultural heritage. A geosite is a particular geological heritage asset. It is a heritage category comparable to other forms of natural heritage, such as biodiversity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San'in Kaigan Geopark</span> Geopark in Japan

The San'in Kaigan Geopark (山陰海岸ジオパーク) is a geopark in Japan. The area was declared a Japanese Geopark in 2008, and a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2010. The underlying themes of the geopark are "geological features, the natural environment, people's lives, and the formation of the Sea of Japan". This geologically diverse area contains records of the process from when Japan was part of the Asian continent to its present-day formation of the Sea of Japan. People's lives are also diverse in this area because of its geodiversity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asia Pacific Geoparks Network</span> A regional network of Geoparks.

The Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) is the regional geopark network of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the UNESCO International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (UNESCO-IGGP). Its main role is to coordinate the activities of GGN in the UNESCO regions of Asia and the Pacific, to promote networking between global geoparks and geopark professionals in the region and to provide support for sustainable economic development in geopark areas. As of 2020 February, the APGN had 60 institutional members in countries. The Pacific region is currently not represented by a global geopark, but there are ongoing geopark projects, just as in other countries of Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gunung Sewu Geopark</span> Mountain range in Indonesia

Gunung Sewu Geopark or Sewu Mountains is a series of mountains stretching along the southern coast of Gunung Kidul Regency and Wonogiri Regency of Central Java, to Pacitan Regency of East Java in the island of Java, Indonesia. This is a national Geopark, which is also a member of Global Geopark Network (GGN), recognized by UNESCO in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basque Coast Geopark</span> Geopark in Basque Country

The Basque Coast Geopark, formally the Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, is an area of the Basque Country in the north of Spain which became a member of the European Geoparks Network in 2010, one of several Global Geoparks in Spain. It comprises 89 square kilometres of countryside with a 23 km long cliffed coast fronting the Bay of Biscay. Inland it comprises hilly country which reaches up to Sesiarte which is 755m above sea level. The main communities within the Geopark are Zumaia, Deba and Mutriku. The A8 Cantabrian motorway runs east–west through the Geopark.

Cynthia Veronica Burek is a Professor of Geoconservation at the University of Chester. She serves on the steering group of the Geodiversity Action Plan (UKGAP) and as a Director of the British Federation of Women Graduates.

Geoconservation is the practice of recognising, protecting and managing sites and landscapes which have value for their geology or geomorphology. The conservation of these geological sites is through government agencies and local geological societies in areas such as Europe and Africa. The designation of these sites is done through an analysis of the site, and the production of proper management infrastructure. The principles of geoconservation are to create a means of protection for the sites, and assess their value to the geological community. Typically the conservation of geodiversity at a site or within a landscape takes place alongside that of biodiversity.

References

  1. 1 2 "UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp)". UNESCO. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the UNESCO Global Geoparks". UNESCO Global Geoparks. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  3. ↑ "UNESCO names 18 new Global Geoparks". UNESCO. 24 May 2023.
  4. ↑ UNESCO Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences
  5. ↑ Global Geoparks Network
  6. ↑ Application Guidelines and Self-Evaluation form for Membership in the Global Geoparks Network
  7. ↑ "GEOfood: Geoparks, People, Nature and Food" . Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  8. ↑ "9th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks". 9th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks.
  9. 1 2 Errami, E.; Brocx, M.; Semeniuk, V. (2013). From geoheritage to geoparks: case studies from Africa and beyond. Heidelberg: Springer. pp. 3–23. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-10708-0_1.
  10. ↑ "APGN Geoparks – Asia Pacific Geoparks Network". asiapacificgeoparks.org. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  11. ↑ "UNESCO Global Geoparks List|UNESCO". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  12. ↑ "Waitaki Whitestone Geopark | Aotearoa New Zealand". Whitestone Geopark. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  13. ↑ Jones, Cheryl (2008). "History of Geoparks". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 300 (1): 273–277. doi:10.1144/sp300.21. ISSN   0305-8719. S2CID   130588041.
  14. ↑ "EGN - Member list". europeangeoparks.org. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  15. ↑ "Aspiring Geoparks - Canadian Geoparks Network". canadiangeoparks.com. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  16. ↑ "Appalachian Geopark | Home". appalachiangeopark.wvu.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  17. ↑ "UNESCO names 18 new Geoparks | UNESCO". 2024-03-29. Archived from the original on 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  18. ↑ "404 Page Error-Global Network of National Geoparks".{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  19. ↑ "List of Geoparks & Regional Networks". 20 January 2021.
  20. ↑ "Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 UNESCO Media Services 17 April 2018
  22. ↑ "ARARIPE UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK". April 13, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Seridó UNESCO Global Geopark".
  24. ↑ "UNESCO includes two Brazilian areas in list of global geoparks | Agência Brasil". 2024-04-13. Archived from the original on 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  25. ↑ "Quarta Colônia UNESCO Global Geopark | UNESCO". 2024-04-13. Archived from the original on 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  26. ↑ "Caçapava UNESCO Global Geopark | UNESCO". 2024-04-13. Archived from the original on 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  27. ↑ "Brazilian geopark receives UNESCO recognition". agenciabrasil. 27 March 2024. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "UNESCO designates 15 new Geoparks in Asia, Europe, and Latin America". UNESCO. 10 July 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Percé UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Eleven sites and extensions in Asia, Europe, and South America receive UNESCO Global Geopark Label". unesco.org. UNESCO. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Fangshan Geopark". globalgeopark.org. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Guangwushan Nuoshuihe UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  33. ↑ "Huanggang Dabieshan UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  34. 1 2 3 4 UN News Centre, 21 September 2012
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNESCO Media Services 19 September 2011
  36. 1 2 "Nine new sites added to Global Geoparks Network".
  37. ↑ "UNESCO designates 15 new Geoparks in Asia, Europe, and Latin America". UNESCO. 10 July 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Beaujolais UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  39. ↑ "Unesco designates Mount Rinjani as global geopark". Antara News. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  40. ↑ "Rinjani Lombok UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  41. ↑ "Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global Geopark | Pemerintah Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan". tic.wonogirikab.go.id. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  42. ↑ "Ciletuh Palabuhanratu UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  43. ↑ "Ciletuh officially declared as UNESCO Global Geopark". Antara News. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  44. ↑ "Toba Caldera Geopark" (PDF). UNESCO. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  45. ↑ "Kaldera Toba ditetapkan sebagai UNESCO Global Geopark | Portal Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia". kemlu.go.id. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  46. ↑ "Belitong recognized as UNESCO Global Geopark status | Portal Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia". kemlu.go.id. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  47. ↑ "Ijen Geopark gets UNESCO Global Geopark status | Portal Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia". kemlu.go.id. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  48. ↑ "Geopark Maros-Pangkep Masuk dalam UNESCO Global Geopark | Pemerintah Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan". sulselprov.go.id. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  49. ↑ "Geopark Merangin Resmi Masuk UNESCO Global Geopark | Badan Penghuhung Pemerintah Provinsi Jambi". badanpenghubung.jambiprov.go.id. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  50. ↑ "Raja Ampat ditetapkan sebagai Global Geopark UNESCO | Republika". republika.co.id. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  51. ↑ "404 Page Error-Global Network of National Geoparks".{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  52. ↑ "404 Page Error-Global Network of National Geoparks".{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  53. ↑ "Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  54. ↑ "Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  55. ↑ "Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark | UNESCO". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  56. ↑ "Mudeungsan Area UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  57. ↑ "Conca de Tremp Montsec UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  58. ↑ "Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  59. ↑ "Satun UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  60. ↑ "Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark". UNESCO. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  61. ↑ "Revalidation Process of UNESCO Global Geoparks". UNESCO. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  62. ↑ Lochaber loses Unesco geopark status, BBC News, 17 November 2011
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