Background on UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp)
Last update: 23 January 2026
UNESCO Global Geoparks are the youngest category of UNESCO-designated sites. In 2015, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the basic texts of the new Global Geoparks pillar within the International Global Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (IGGP), deliberately designating it as an international programme, rather than an intergovernmental programme. UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp), individually and collectively in the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and associated regional networks, have already delivered significant benefits for their communities and UNESCO Member States in general. Today, there are 229 UGGp in 50 countries.
Geopark History
Geological heritage conservation is the Geopark’s far history. By the time, and with the effective legal conservation of this heritage, the Geopark concept emerge slowly as a new holistic territory. More than 20 years ago were acting, in Europe, the first Geopark experiences at the base of the actual Global Geoparks Network.
Timeline of Geopark Activities
