During the 10th Anniversary of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGPs), UNESCO designated 16 new Global Geoparks across 11 countries. This brings the total number of UNESCO Global Geoparks to 229 sites in 50 countries.
Historic Firsts: North Korea and Saudi Arabia entered the Global Geoparks Network for the first time.
Key Highlights
New Geoparks located in: China, North Korea, Ecuador, Indonesia, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
Network Size:
- 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks
- 50 countries covered
- Total area: Nearly 855,000 sq. km (equivalent to Namibia’s size
List of 16 New UNESCO Global Geoparks
ASIA:
China:
- Kanbula UNESCO Global Geopark: Ancient volcanoes, Yellow River, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
- Yunyang UNESCO Global Geopark: 250-million-year-old transition from inland sea to land.
North Korea: Mt Paektu UNESCO Global Geopark:
- First ever geopark in North Korea. Mt Paektu’s nomination boosts international scientific collaboration
- Features volcanic activity, Millennium Eruption (~1000 CE).
- Lake Chon, a caldera lake at 2,190 m altitude.
Indonesia:
- Kebumen UNESCO Global Geopark: Ancient oceanic and continental rock formations.
- Meratus UNESCO Global Geopark: Jurassic period geology, tectonic records, and diamond deposits.
South Korea:
- Debut with two geoparks, highlighting Arabia’s rich geological history.
- Danyang UNESCO Global Geopark: 1.9-billion-year-old granite gneiss along Baekdu Daegan range.
- Gyeongbuk Donghaean UNESCO Global Geopark: Deokgu Valley, granitic rocks, and hot springs.
EUROPE:
Italy:
- MurGEopark UNESCO Global Geopark: Stable Adriatic Plate, ancient geological formations.
Norway:
- The Fjord Coast UNESCO Global Geopark: Fjords, waterfalls, glaciers on Norway’s western coast.
Spain:
- Costa Quebrada UNESCO Global Geopark: Tectonic movement study site over 120 million years.
United Kingdom:
- Arran UNESCO Global Geopark: 600-million-year-old geological history, tectonic collision evidence.
MIDDLE EAST AND LATIN AMERICA:
Saudi Arabia:
- North Riyadh UNESCO Global Geopark: Tuwaiq Mountains, Tabletop formations, cultural landmarks.
- Salma UNESCO Global Geopark: 740-million-year-old volcanic/magmatic rocks.
Vietnam:
- Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark: Limestone peaks, volcanic history, evolving ecosystems.
Ecuador:
- Napo Sumaco UNESCO Global Geopark: Amazon Basin, Sumaco Volcano, Jurassic-to-present activity.
- Tungurahua Volcano UNESCO Global Geopark: Volcanic and glacial history over 417 million years in the Andes.
About UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGPs)
| Category | Details |
| Genesis | Launched in 2015 as part of the International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) |
| Definition | Single, unified geographical areas of international geological significance managed with focus on protection, education, and sustainable development |
| Management | Legal existence under national laws, reassessment every 4 years |
| Mandatory Networking | All UNESCO Geoparks must be members of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) |
| Role | Conservation, sustainable tourism, education, preserving indigenous/local knowledge |
| Current Status | 229 Geoparks in 50 countries (None in India) |
| Expansion Focus | Underrepresented areas: Africa, Arab States, Small Island Developing States |
About Global Geoparks Network (GGN)
- A non-profit International Association under UNESCO.
- Sets ethical and operational standards for Global Geoparks.
- Promotes best practices in managing geological heritage sites worldwide.