The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) (also known as the Global Network of National Geoparks) is a UNESCO programme established in 1998. Managed under the body’s Ecological and Earth Sciences Division, the GGN seeks the promotion and conservation of the planet’s geological heritage, as well as encourages the sustainable research and development by the concerned communities.[1][2][3]
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The international network seeks the membership of geological parks, or geoparks—geographical areas where geological heritage is the focus of local protection, education and development.
A set of criteria as established by UNESCO must first be met for a geopark, as nominated by the corresponding government, to be included in the GGN:
Criteria satisfaction is evaluated during biennial meetings (every even year) by the Geoparks Committee, known as the International Conference on Geoparks, which is also in charge with the periodic review of projects related to geological awareness. The first members of the GGN were named during the first conference in 2004, and it has continued to grow since then:
| Session | Year | Site | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2004 | Beijing, China | June 27–July 7 |
| 2nd | 2006 | Belfast, United Kingdom | September 17–21 |
| 3rd | 2008 | Osnabrück, Germany | June 22–26 |
| 4th | 2010 | Langkawi, Malaysia | April 12–16 |
The GGN works in close synergy with another project under UNESCO’s Ecological and Earth Sciences Division—the Man and Biosphere (MAB) World Network of Biosphere Reserves—to come up with and establish different means of sustainable development in promoting the local communities’ relationship with the natural environment.
To date, 58 geoparks from 18 countries have been included in the GGN.[4] It is hoped that over 500 Geoparks will eventually be part of the GGN.