Global Geoparks Network (GGN)
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is a legally constituted not-for-profit organisation with an annual membership fee, which was founded in 2004. UNESCO Global Geoparks must be member of the GGN. It is a dynamic network where members are committed to work together and exchange ideas of best practise and join in common projects to raise the quality standards of all products and practises of a UNESCO Global Geopark. While the GGN as a whole comes together every two years, it functions through the operation of regional networks, such as the European Geoparks Network that meets twice a year to develop and promote joint activities.
Website : https://www.globalgeoparksnetwork.org/
Mission
The Global Geoparks Network is the international organisation of the Global Geoparks and Global Geopark professionals which is committed to the conservation, management and communication to society of the Earth heritage as an integral part of the world’s
Top 16 Focus Areas
1. Geological Heritage Conservation
UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas that use the concept of sustainability, value the heritage of Mother Earth and recognize the need to protect it. The defining geological sites in UNESCO Global Geoparks are protected by indigenous, local, regional and/or national law and management authorities, which allow for the necessary monitoring and maintenance of these sites. A UNESCO Global Geopark develops, experiments and enhances methods for preserving the geological heritage. The Global Geoparks Network is developing partnerships among UNESCO Global Geoparks for sharing best practice and know-how on the protection, conservation and rational management of the geological heritage sites.
Tham Luang Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park, Chiang Rai Geopark
The Adventure Million Years, Phetchabun Geopark
4. Sustainable Tourism
UNESCO Global Geoparks create in frastructure and activities to support visitor’s access and interpretation of the Geological heritage as well as the development of sustainable tourism activities in the Geopark territory. UNESCO Global Geoparks promote themselves as sustainable tourism destinations offering a diversity of guided field walks and nature tourism activities, authentic experience and local gastronomy. The Global Geoparks Network became a gold partner of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2017 to support the celebration of the International Year of sustainable Tourism for development.
Phu Wiang National Park, Khon Kaen Geopark
6. Employment
UNESCO Global Geoparks are a platform for the development, nurturing and promotion of local cottage industry and craft products. UNESCO Global Geoparks are contributing for the sustainable development of areas hosting significant geological heritage sites through the creation of new enterprises and the employment of young people in their territories.
Khorat UGGp hosted a pivotal meeting session to proide comprehensive support for the Hinboun Geopark initiative (Lao PDR), focusing on global Geopark management and strategy during the knowledge exchange program from November 28–30, 2025.
8. Women Empower
UNESCO Global Geoparks have a strong emphasis on empowering women whether through focused education programmes or through the development of women’s cooperatives. In some UNESCO Global Geoparks women’s cooperatives also provide an opportunity for women to obtain additional income in their own area and on their own terms.
Chiang Rai Geopark
10. Science & Research
UNESCO Global Geoparks are special areas where the geological heritage, or geodiversity, is of international importance. Thus Geoparks are interesting to implement results of scientific research in the field of geo-conservation, tourism and sustainable local development. UNESCO Global Geoparks are encouraged to work with academic and research institutions to engage in active scientific research in the Earth Sciences, and other disciplines as appropriate, to advance our knowledge about the Earth and its processes. A UNESCO Global Geopark is an active laboratory where people can become engaged in science from the highest academic research level to the level of the curious visitor.
Dvaravati Sandstone Reclining Buddha is evidence of using geological material for Cultural heritage in Khorat UGGp.
12. Geological Hazards Risk Reduction
UNESCO Global Geoparks promote a ware ness of geological hazards, including volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. Through educational activities for the local people and visitors many UNESCO Global Geoparks give information on the source of geological hazards and ways to reduce their impact including disaster response strategies. These efforts build important capacity and contribute to building more resilient communities that have the knowledge and skills to effectively respond to potential geological hazards. The Global Geoparks Network working group on Geo-hazards coordinates common activities and helps prepare disaster mitigation strategies among Geoparks.
Satun Geopark
14. Local and Indigenous Knowledge
UNESCO Global Geoparks actively involve local and indigenous peoples, preserving and celebrating their culture. By involving local and indigenous communities, UNESCO Global Geoparks recognize the importance of these communities, their culture and the link between these communities and their land. It is one of the criteria of UNESCO Global Geoparks that local and indigenous knowledge, practice and management systems, along side science, are included in the planning and management of the area.
The 3rd Thailand Geopark Network Symposium from June 24 – 25, 2024 at Khon Kean Geopark.
16. Monitoring and Evaluation
In order to ensure the continuing high quality of UNESCO Global Geoparks, including the quality of the management of each UNESCO Global Geopark, the status of each UNESCO Global Geopark is subject to a thorough revalidation every 4 years. The Global Geoparks Network is supporting the Geopark evaluation and revalidation process by providing the experts for the evaluation missions and maintaing the roster of evaluators.
Phu Hang Nak Geopark
2. Climate Change Awareness
UNESCO Global Geoparks hold records of past climate change and are educators on current climate change as well as adopting a best practice approach to utilising renewable energy and employing the best standards of “green tourism.” UNESCO Global Geoparks serve as outdoor museums on the effects of past and current climate change thus giving the opportunity to show visitors how climate change can affect our environment, and raise awareness on the potential impact of climate change on the region, and provide the local communities with the knowledge to mitigate and adapt to the potential effects of climate change.
3. Education for Sustainability
UNESCO Global Geoparks develop and operate educational activities for all ages to spread awareness of our geological heritage and its links to other aspects of our natural, cultural and intangible heritages. UNESCO Global Geoparks offer educational programmes for schools or offer special activities for children through “Summer camps”, “Kids Clubs” or special “Fossil Fun Activities”. They also offer education, both formal and informal, for adults and retired people.
Tham Le Stegodon, Satun Geopark
5. Biodiversity Protection
UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas where the analysis of specific interactions between the lithosphere and biosphere provides an integrated concept of the role of the geological environment in the evolution of the biosphere. Geopark activities and projects are important in order to raise awareness on the relationship between the geological environment and modern ecosystems and their rational management under a holistic concept.
Ubon Ratchathani Geopark
7. Capacity Building Activities
UNESCO Global Geoparks offer training courses and capacity building activities for local stakeholders and young unemployed people who can then, in turn, support Geopark activities and operation. The Global Geoparks Network in collaboration with UNESCO organizes International Training Courses on Geoparks supporting the development of Geoparks in many countries especially in Regions with not many UNESCO Global Geoparks.
Chiang Rai Geopark
9. Natural Resources Wise Use
The history of mankind and civilization is based on the resources exploited from Earth’s crust. The development of modern societies is limited by the consequences of depleting of natural resources UNESCO Global Geoparks inform people about the sustainable use and need for natural resources, while at the same time promoting respect for the environment and the integrity of the landscape.
Ubon Ratchathani Geopark
11. Cultural Heritage Enhancement
In many countries emblematic geosites are considered as sacred places. Since ancient times, sacred sites have had a mysterious allure for billions of people around the world. Legend sand contemporary reports tell of extraordinary experiences people have had while visiting these places. Different sacred sites have the power to heal the body, enlighten the mind and inspire the heart. People built in such places temples and monasteries. UNESCO Global Geoparks host some important sacred places emphasizing the connection between specific landscapes and land-forms with mythology, archaeology and history. UNESCO Global Geoparks are fundamentally about people and about exploring and celebrating the links between our communities and the Earth. The Earth has shaped who we are: it has shaped our farming practices, the building materials and methods we have used for our homes, even our mythology, folklore and folk traditions.
landslide, Chiang Rai Geopark
credit: https://chiangrai.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/9/iid/320495
13. Sustainable Development
UNESCO Global Geoparks are engaging with local people and respecting their traditional way of life in away that empowers them and respects their human rights and dignity. A UNESCO Global Geopark should have an active role in the economic development of its territory through enhancement of a general image linked to the geological heritage and the development of sustainable tourism. A Geopark has direct impact on the territory by influencing its inhabitants’ living conditions and environment. The objective is to enable the inhabitants to re-appropriate the values of the territory’s heritage and actively participate in the territory’s cultural revitalization as a whole.
Sikhio Tai Yuan Indigenous in Khorat UGGp
15. Networking
Networking is one of the core principles of Geoparks. Networking strongly contributes to the success of the Geoparks movement and plays a valuable role in facilitating the sharing of experience, quality management, formation of joint initiatives and projects and capacity-building. The Global Geopark Network and its Regional Geopark Networks offer a global platform of cooperation and exchange of best practice between UNESCO Global Geoparks.
Revalidation Mission of Satun UGGp from July 15 – 19, 2025 by Mr.Ferren Climent and Prof. Mega Fatimah