What are UNESCO Global Geoparks?

• UNESCO designated 12 new geoparks, bringing the total number of sites in the UNESCO Global Geopark Network to 241 in 51 countries. 

• The 12 newly designated geoparks are located in China, France, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Portugal, Russia, Tunisia — marking its first geopark — and Uruguay.

• The network now covers an area of over 882,000 sq km, equivalent to the size of Venezuela.

• India does not have any UNESCO Global Geoparks. 

What is a UNESCO Global Geopark?

• UNESCO Global Geoparks are unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. 

• A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as using our earth’s resources sustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing natural hazard-related risks.

• By raising awareness of the importance of the area’s geological heritage in history and society today, UNESCO Global Geoparks give local people a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area. 

• The creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs and high-quality training courses is stimulated as new sources of revenue are generated through geotourism, while the geological resources of the area are protected.

• UNESCO Global Geoparks are established through a bottom-up process involving all relevant local and regional stakeholders and authorities in the area.

• The sites 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.

The 12 new UNESCO Global Geoparks are:

1) Changshan UNESCO Global Geopark - China

2) Mt. Siguniang UNESCO Global Geopark - China

3) Terres d’Hérault UNESCO Global Geopark - France

4) Nisyros UNESCO Global Geopark - Greece

5) Joyce Country and Western Lakes Global Geopark - Ireland

6) Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark - Japan

7) Lenggong UNESCO Global Geopark - Malaysia

8) Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark - Malaysia

9) Algarvensis UNESCO Global Geopark - Portugal

10) Toratau UNESCO Global Geopark - Russia

11) Dahar UNESCO Global Geopark - Tunisia

12) Manantiales Serranos UNESCO Global Geopark - Uruguay.