UNESCO REF Media Centre | Outside Source
UNESCO Expands the Global Geoparks Network with Eight New Designations
The UNESCO Executive Board has designated eight new UNESCO Global Geoparks, bringing the Network to 177 sites in 46 countries, with Luxembourg and Sweden joining for the first time.
PARIS, France, 8 September 2021. The UNESCO Executive Board has approved the designation of eight new UNESCO Global Geoparks, bringing the total number of sites in the Global Geoparks Network to 177 across 46 countries. With this expansion, Luxembourg and Sweden join the Network for the first time, entering the global community of geoparks.
Global alignmentAlignement mondialThe global commitments this story advances. Open to see how.
UNESCO Global Geoparks join the conservation of the Earth’s heritage to education and local sustainable development.
- SDG15
SDG 15, Life on Land (primary)
ProvisionConservation of terrestrial ecosystems and natural heritage
How geoparks respondProtect geological heritage of international significance
- SDG11
SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities
ProvisionTarget 11.4: protect the world’s cultural and natural heritage
How geoparks respondJoin heritage to the life of local communities
- SDG4
SDG 4, Quality Education
ProvisionEducation for sustainable development
How geoparks respondPublic education in the Earth sciences
- SDG8
SDG 8, Decent Work
ProvisionSustainable tourism that creates jobs
How geoparks respondLocal empowerment through sustainable tourism
A label of international significance
Un label d’importance internationale
The UNESCO Global Geopark label, unanimously ratified by Member States in 2015, recognises geological heritage of international significance. These sites display an extraordinary geological diversity that underpins the biological and cultural richness of their regions.
By combining the conservation of unique geological heritage with public education and sustainable development, geoparks serve as catalysts for the empowerment of local communities and for global knowledge exchange.
A network the size of a nation
Un réseau à l’échelle d’une nation
With the latest designations, the Network now covers a surface area of 370,662 square kilometres, comparable to the size of Japan, reinforcing its role as a truly global initiative.
The new designations
Les nouvelles désignations
This year’s designations include two geoparks in Latin America and six in Europe. While COVID-19 restrictions prevented the evaluation of new applications from Asia, Africa and the Arab region, several projects are under way to extend the Network into these regions in the near future.
ENDS
Notes to editorsNotes aux rédactions
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