Origin of UNESCO Global Geopark

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a unified concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.

The concept of "geopark" originated in the mid-1990s. In 2004, with the support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), eight national geoparks in China and 17 members of the European Geoparks Network jointly established the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). In 2015, in order to further highlight the international community's awareness of the importance of protecting excellent geological heritage and landscapes, the 38th General Conference of UNESCO approved the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme and established the UNESCO Global Geopark. At present, there are a total of 195 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 48 countries and regions.