Written by Marc Nkwame, in Tanzania and Foreign News Agencies
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Global Geoparks Council is proposing 15 new Geoparks for endorsement in 2025.
Should UNESCO’s Executive Board approve this decision when it meets in 2025, this would expand the network to 228 sites around the world.
There are only two Geoparks in Africa, one in Morocco and the second in Tanzania.
However, there is a big chance that Morocco could be getting a second site next year.
But the Ngorongoro-Lengai Geopark located in Northern Tanzania is pending serious discussion during the UNESCO council meeting in December 2024.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, will be getting its first Geopark, if all goes well.
In order to be considered for the UNESCO Global Geopark label, the territory must have been in operating as a de facto Geopark for at least one year.
The 12 members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Global Geoparks Council examined 21 candidates at the Council’s ninth session, held in Non-Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark in Viet Nam.
Tanzania had previously also proposed the Arusha-Meru Geopark which is mapped at the foot of the country’s second highest peak, the Mount Meru. This is yet to be listed by UNESCO.
Kenya’s proposed Baringo Geopark has also not made it into the latest list.
A total of 15 proposed sites were endorsed by the Council
- China: Kanbula
- China: Yunyang
- Ecuador: Napo Sumaco
- Ecuador: Tungurahua Volcano
- Indonesia: Kebumen
- Indonesia: Meratus
- Italy: MurGeopark
- Norway: Fjord Coast Regional and Geopark
- Republic of Korea: Danyang
- Republic of Korea: Gyeongbuk Donghaean
- Saudi Arabia: North Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia: Salma
- Spain: Costa Quebrada
- United Kingdom and Northern Ireland: Arran
- Vietnam: Lang Son
Deferred applications
In accordance with Section 5.5 of its Operational Guidelines, the Council is entitled to recommend deferring an application for up to two years to allow for improvements to be made to the application.
That is without the need for the candidate Geopark to undergo a second field evaluation.
During the September 2024 meeting, the Council deferred three applications:
- Canada: Niagara
- Mexico: Múzquiz Coahuila
- Morocco: Chefchaouen
Revalidation of existing UNESCO Global Geoparks
To maintain the quality of UNESCO Global Geoparks, each one undergoes a thorough revalidation process every four years.
A green card indicates a renewal of the UNESCO Global Geopark status for four years, whereas a yellow card restricts the renewal to a period of two years, allowing the Geopark time to address the Council’s recommendations.
Of the 39 revalidations considered, the Council granted:
- 31 green cards
- 6 yellow cards
- 2 files remain to be discussed during the December session
The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council will examine additional applications during the second part of its ninth session, scheduled for early December this year.
Proposals endorsed by the Council are then submitted to UNESCO’s Executive Board for final approval.
The Council will then present a report on its work and decisions to the UNESCO Executive Board for the latter’s endorsement in the first half of next year.
Should the UNESCO Executive Board endorse the applications endorsed thus far by the Council, the total number of UNESCO Global Geoparks will increase from 213 to 228 across 49 countries, with Saudi Arabia joining the network for the first time.
This number may rise further or reduce, following the Council’s December meeting.
Geoparks
UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed under a holistic concept that integrates protection, education and sustainable development.
These Geoparks adopt a bottom-up approach, combining conservation efforts with sustainable development, informal education and the active involvement of local communities.
The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council is tasked with assessing new Geopark proposals and revalidating existing sites.