Conferencia Internacional sobre Geoparques Mundiales de la UNESCO 2025

GLOBAL GEOPARKS NETWORK

International Association

The Global Geoparks Network (GGN), is a non-profit International Association officially established in 2014 subject to French legislation. The Global Geoparks Network is the official partner of UNESCO for the operation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks.

The GGN was initially founded in 2004 as an international partnership developed under the umbrella of UNESCO and serves to develop models of best practice and set quality-standards for territories that integrate the protection preservation of Earth heritage sites in a strategy for regional sustainable economic development.

Networking and collaboration among Global Geoparks is an important component of the Global Geoparks Network.

The Global Geoparks Network promotes networking on a regional basis.

For Global Geoparks in Asia – Pacific the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) acts as the Regional Network of the GGN.

For Global Geoparks in Europe, the European Geoparks Network (EGN) acts as the Regional Network of the GGN.

For Global Geoparks in Latin America and Caribbean, the Latin American and Caribbean Geoparks Network acts as the as the Regional Network of the GGN.

For Global Geoparks in Africa, the African UNESCO Global Geoparks acts as the Regional Network of the GGN.

The GGN prioritizes the creation of similar Regional Networks, reflecting local conditions, elsewhere in the world.

Objectives

The objectives of the Global Geoparks Network are:

(i) to promote the equitable geographical establishment, development and professional management of Global Geoparks,

(ii) to advance knowledge and understanding of the nature, function and role of Global Geoparks;

(iii) to assist local communities to value their natural and cultural heritage;

(iv) to preserve Earth heritage for present and future generations;

(v) to educate and teach the broad public about issues in geo-sciences and their relation with environmental matters and natural hazards.

(vi) to ensure sustainable socio-economic and cultural development based on the natural (or geological) system

(vii) to foster multi-cultural links between heritage and conservation and the maintenance of geological and cultural diversity, using participatory schemes of partnership and management;

(viii) to stimulate research when appropriate;

(ix) to promote joint initiatives between Global Geoparks (e.g. communication, publications, exchange of information, twinning).

The Global Geoparks Network establishes ethical standards which must be adopted and respected by Global Geoparks and Global Geopark professionals.

The Global Geoparks Network organizes co-operation and mutual assistance between Global Geoparks and between Global Geopark professionals.

The Global Geoparks Network initiates and co-ordinates thematic Working Groups which will foster international co-operation is a variety of issues related with Geopark operation and activities.

The Global Geoparks Network represents, advances, and disseminates knowledge in Geodiversity management and other disciplines related to studies in Geo-conservation, Geo-tourism, Geo-education and/or the management and activities of Global Geoparks.