Vol. 29 No.2 June 2006

Journal of International Geoscience

Published by the International Union of Geological Sciences

Guidelines and Criteria for National Geoparks seeking UNESCO’s assistance
to join the Global Geoparks Network (April 2006)

GEOPARKS—Promoting Earth heritage, sustaining local communities
Global Network of National Geoparks — A landscape approach for geological heritage
conservation, research and sustainable development

Introduction

Until recently, no international recognition of geological heritage sites of national or regional importance, and no international convention on geological heritage have existed. The initiative of UNESCO to support Geoparks responds to the strong need expressed by numerous countries for an international framework to enhance the value of the Earth heritage, its landscapes and geological formations, which are key witnesses to the history of life. Pursuant the decision of its Executive Board in June 2001 (161EX/Decisions, 3.3.1) UNESCO has been invited “to support ad hoc efforts with Member States as appropriate” to promote territories or natural parks having special geological features. National Geopark initiatives, which seek UNESCO’s assistance should integrate the preservation of significant examples of geological heritage in a strategy for regional sustainable socio-economic and cultural development, safeguarding the environment. The present document provides guidelines for developing Geoparks under the assistance of UNESCO for the inclusion in a Global Network of National Geoparks. The applicant is asked to respect the terms of the present guidelines. An independent expert group will refer to these guidelines when assessing proposals for the Global Network. The protection and sustainable development of geological heritage and geodiversity through Geoparks initiatives, contributes to the objectives of Agenda 21, the Agenda of Science for Environment and Development into the twenty-first century adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, Rio de Janeiro, 1992) and reconfirmed by theWorld Summit on Sustainable Development 2002 in Johannesburg. Geology and landscape have profoundly influenced society, civilization, and cultural diversity of our planet. The Geoparks initiative adds a new dimension to the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage by highlighting the potential for interaction between socio-economic and cultural development and conservation of the natural environment. The Global Network of National Geoparks operates in close synergy with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) World Network of Biosphere Reserves, national and international undertakings and non-governmental organizations active in geological heritage conservation. For national Geoparks in Europe, UNESCO has established a privileged partnership with the European Geoparks Network (EGN).

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