UNESCO Geopark evaluators, doctors, geologists, Mohd-Shafeea Leman and Ánchel Belmonte Ribas at Uhrilähde spring with geologist Pasi Talvitie.
UNESCO Global Geopark status
UNESCO Global Geoparks, World Heritage sites and biosphere reserves are UNESCO’s three prestigious designations for regional areas. Worldwide, there are 213 UNESCO Geoparks in 48 countries.
UNESCO Global Geoparks is part of the International Geoscience and Geoparks (IGGP) programme launched by UNESCO in 2015. At the same time, the UNESCO Global Geopark status was established, and the sites included in the network became UNESCO Global Geoparks. Part of the administration, including decision-making power over new members and evaluation visits, was also transferred to UNESCO.
Geoparks pay a membership fee to UNESCO to cover the management of the network and establish Geoparks in developing countries together with GGN.
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN)
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) was established in 2004.
The Global Geoparks Network is a non-governmental organisation to which all UNESCO Geoparks in the world belong. More than 300 Geopark professionals participate actively and voluntarily in the network’s activities. GGN works on the development of UNESCO Geoparks and is particularly involved in the establishment and promotion of Geoparks in developing countries in Africa and Latin America.
Professor, doctor Nikolas Zouros in the Geopark conference in Italy, Adamello Brenta, organized by the GGN.
The Global Geoparks Network has a joint Visitgeoparks tourism website.
Regional Geopark Networks
There are several official Regional Geopark Networkss in the world:
- European Geopark network (EGN)
- Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN)
- Latin American and Caribbean Geopark Network (LACGN)
- African UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (AUGGN)
Many countries have also established national networks as in Finland.
For example
Canadian Geoparks Network operates in Canada.
Spain has a network of 15 Geoparks: Geoparks of Spain.
In 2019 the Geopark conferencewas organized in Sevilla, Spain. In Spain, there is a large national network of Geoparks.
In the spring meeting of European Geoparks network in March 2023, in Romania, there were a lot of participants.
Euroopan Geopark- network (EGN)
The Geoparks concept started in Europe as a joint project of four regions. The European Geoparks Network was established in 2000.
The European Geoparks Network is one of the regional networks of the Global Geoparks Network.
European UNESCO Global Geoparks appoint two representatives to the EGN Coordination Cellule to serve as official representatives of their region. It convenes twice a year to decide on common issues and to network. Every other year, the EGN organises a Geoparks conference, alternating with UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.
Geoparks Finland Network
Finland has five UNESCO Geoparks: Rokua, Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas, Saimaa, Salpausselkä and Impact Crater Lake.
Finnish Geoparks form the Geoparks Finland network, which jointly develops, for example, Geopark exposure, geotourism and national cooperation.
Finnish National Geopark Committee
The development of Geopark activities is steered nationally by the Finnish National Geopark Committee, which was established in 2013. Its task is to provide information on Geopark activities and to report on national Geopark activities to international Geopark networks . It serves as an expert and knowledge broker between the Finnish Geopark regions and the Finnish UNESCO Committee. It directs Geopark projects in the preparation of applications and issues its assessment to the Finnish National Commission for UNESCO, which decides on the processing of applications and submits proposals to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council.
The members of the Finnish National Geopark Committee in 2024 are:
- Ilona Latsa, Ministry of the Environment
- Matti Tapaninen, Metsähallitus National Parks Finland
- Tapio Kananoja, Geological Survey of Finland
- Mikko Kiuttu, Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark
- Terttu Hermansson, Lauhanvuori-Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark (chairperson)
- Mikko Ikävalko, Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark
- Kati Komulainen, Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark
- Maria Ahvenniemi, Impact Crater Lake UNESCO Global Geopark
