世界地质公园网络指南和标准

GEOPARKS–PromotingEarthHeritage,SustainingLocal

Communities

GlobalNetworkofNationalGeoparks-alandscapeapproach

forgeologicalheritageconservation,researchandsustainable

development

Introduction

Geologyandlandscapehaveprofoundlyinfluencedsociety,civilization,andthecultural

diversityofourplanet.AlthoughtheWorldHeritageConventiondoesrecognizegeologicalsites

ofuniversalvaluethereisnosystemofinternationalrecognitionofgeologicalheritagesitesof

nationalorregionalimportance.Manyimportantgeologicalsitesdonotfulfilthecriteriafor

inscriptionontheWorldHeritageList.TheinitiativeofUNESCOtosupportGeoparksresponds

tothestrongneedexpressedbynumerouscountriesforaninternationalframeworktoconserve

andenhancethevalueoftheEarth’sheritage,itslandscapesandgeologicalformations,which

arekeywitnessestothehistoryofourplanet.

PursuantwiththedecisionofitsExecutiveBoardinJune2001(161EX/Decisions,3.3.1)

UNESCOhasbeeninvited"tosupportadhoceffortswithMemberStatesasappropriate"to

promoteterritoriesornaturalparkshavingspecialgeologicalfeatures.NationalGeopark

initiatives,whichseekUNESCO'sassistance,shouldintegratethepreservationofsignificant

examplesofgeologicalheritageinastrategyforregionalsustainablesocio-economicand

culturaldevelopment,safeguardingtheenvironment.

ThepresentdocumentprovidesguidelinesfordevelopingNationalGeoparksunderthe

assistanceofUNESCOfortheinclusionintheGlobalNetworkofNationalGeoparks-generally

referredtoastheGlobalGeoparksNetwork(GGN).Theguidelinesincludecriteriawhich

aspiringGeoparksadheretothroughtheirvoluntaryparticipationintheGGN.Applicantsfor

membershipoftheGGNshouldrespectthetermsofthepresentguidelines.UNESCOand

supportingindependentexpertadvisorygroupswillrefertotheseguidelineswhenassessing

proposalapplicationsformembershipoftheGGN.

Theprotectionandsustainabledevelopmentofgeologicalheritageandgeodiversitythrough

GeoparksinitiativescontributestotheobjectivesofAgenda21,theAgendaofSciencefor

EnvironmentandDevelopmentintothetwenty-firstcenturyadoptedbytheUnitedNations

ConferenceonEnvironmentandDevelopment(UNCED,RiodeJaneiro,1992)andwhichwas

reconfirmedbytheWorldSummitonSustainableDevelopment2002inJohannesburg.The

Geoparksinitiativeaddsanewdimensiontothe1972ConventionconcerningtheProtectionof

theWorldCulturalandNaturalHeritagebyhighlightingthepotentialforinteractionbetween

socio-economicandculturaldevelopmentandconservationofthenaturalenvironment.

TheGGNoperatesinclosesynergywiththeWorldHeritageConvention,theManandthe

Biosphere(MAB)WorldNetworkofBiosphereReserves,andwithnational,international,non-

governmentalorganizationsandinitiativesactiveingeologicalheritageconservation.For

nationalGeoparksinEurope,UNESCOhasestablishedapartnershipwiththeEuropean

GeoparksNetwork(EGN)in2001.Asaresult,theEGNcoordinatesmembershipoftheGlobal

GeoparksNetworkwithinEurope.UNESCOrecommendsthecreationofrelatedregional

Networks,reflectinglocalconditions,elsewhereintheworld.NetworkingamongGeoparksis

animportantcomponentoftheGGN.UNESCOencouragesmanyformsofcooperation,

especiallyinthefieldsofeducation,management,tourism,sustainabledevelopment,and

regionalplanningamongGGNmembers.

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PartI-Criteria

1.Sizeandsetting

-AGeoparkseekingtobecomeamemberoftheGGNisanareawithclearlydefined

boundariesandalargeenoughareaforittoservelocaleconomicandcultural

development(particularlythroughtourism).EachGeoparkshoulddisplaythougharange

ofsitesofinternational,regionaland/ornationalimportance,aregion’sgeological

history,andtheeventsandprocessesthatformedit.Thesitesmaybeimportantfrom

thepointofviewofscience,rarity,educationand/oraesthetics.

-AGeoparkisageographicalareawheregeologicalheritagesitesarepartofaholistic

conceptofprotection,educationandsustainabledevelopment.TheGeoparkshouldtake

intoaccountthewholegeographicalsettingoftheregion,andshallnotsolelyinclude

sitesofgeologicalsignificance.Thesynergybetweengeodiversity,biodiversityand

culture,inadditiontobothtangibleandnon-tangibleheritagearesuchthatnon-

geologicalthemesmustbehighlightedasanintegralpartofeachGeopark,especially

whentheirimportanceinrelationtolandscapeandgeologycanbedemonstratedtothe

visitors.Forthisreason,itisnecessarytoalsoincludeandhighlightsitesofecological,

archaeological,historicalandculturalvaluewithineachGeopark.Inmanysocieties,

natural,culturalandsocialhistoryareinextricablylinkedandcannotbeseparated.

-IftheareaofaGeoparkisidenticalto,orpartlyorwhollyoverlapswithanareaalready

inscribed,(forexample,ontheWorldHeritageListorregisteredasaBiosphereReserve

oftheManandtheBiosphereProgrammeofUNESCO)itisnecessarytoobtainprior

clearancefromtheappropriatenationalbodiesofthesaidinitiativesintheirMember

Statebeforesubmittingtheapplication.Geoparksmaybelocatedontheterritoryof

morethanonecountry.

2.Managementandlocalinvolvement

-AprerequisitetoanyGeoparkproposalbeingapprovedistheestablishmentofan

effectivemanagementsystemandprogrammeofimplementation.Thepresenceof

impressiveandinternationallysignificantgeologicaloutcropsaloneisnotsufficienttobe

aGeopark.Whereappropriate,thegeologicalandnon-geologicalfeaturesinsidethe

Geoparkareamustbeaccessibletovisitors,linkedtooneanotherandsafeguarded

thoughaclearresponsiblemanagementbodyorpartnershipthathasdemonstrablelocal

support.Themanagementbodyorpartnershipshouldhaveaneffectivemanagement

infrastructure,adequatequalifiedpersonnel,andsustainablefinancialsupport.

-TheestablishmentofaGeoparkshouldbebasedonstrongcommunitysupportand

localinvolvement,developedthougha“bottom-up”process.Itshoulddemonstrate

strongsupportfromlocalpoliticalandcommunityleaders,includinginrelationtothe

provisionofnecessaryfinancialresources.TheGeoparkshouldhaveeffectiveand

professionalmanagementstructures,deliverpolicyandactionforsustainableregional

socio-economicandculturaldevelopmentacrosstheterritorywhereitislocated.

Successcanonlybeachievedthroughstronglocalinvolvement.Theinitiativetocreatea

Geoparkmustthereforecomefromlocalcommunities/authoritieswithastrong

commitmenttodevelopingandimplementingamanagementplanthatmeetsthe

communityandeconomicneedsofthelocalpopulationwhilstprotectingthelandscape

inwhichtheylive.WithaviewtofullyinformMemberStatesonrequestsforadhoc

supporttoUNESCO,itisnecessarythatintheplanningstagetheaspiringGeopark

keepstheNationalCommissionforUNESCO,andtherelevantappropriate

governmentalauthoritieslinkedtoUNESCO,briefedonallplannedGeopark

nominationsinthecountry/countriesconcerned.ParalleltothistheUNESCOSecretariat

willsystematicallyinformtheembassiesand/orPermanentDelegationstoUNESCOof

therequestsfromnationalGeoparksforUNESCOsupport.

-AGeoparkshallinvolvepublicauthorities,localcommunities,privateinterests,and

bothresearchandeducationalbodies,inthedesignandrunningoftheGeoparkandits

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regionaleconomicandculturaldevelopmentplanandactivities.Thisco-operationshall

stimulatediscussionandencouragepartnershipsbetweenthedifferentgroupshavinga

vestedinterestintheareaandmotivateandmobiliselocalauthoritiesandthelocal

population.

-TheidentityofaGeoparkmustbeclearlyvisibleforvisitors.Thisshouldbeachieved

throughastrongpresentationandcommunicationstrategyincludingconsistentbranding

ofthesiteswithintheGeopark,inallthepublicationsandallactivitiesrelatedtoit.

-SustainabletourismandothereconomicactivitieswithinaGeoparkcanonlybe

successfulifcarriedoutincooperationwithlocalcommunities.Tourismactivitieshaveto

bespeciallyconceivedtomatchlocalconditionsandthenaturalandculturalcharacterof

aterritoryandmustfullyrespectthetraditionsofthelocalpopulace.Demonstrable

respect,encouragementandprotectionoflocalculturalvalues,isacrucialpartofthe

sustainabledevelopmenteffort.Inmanyregionsandcountriesitisvitaltoinvolvethe

indigenouspopulationintheestablishmentofaGeopark.

-ItisessentialtoseekadvicefromtheGeoparksSecretariatatUNESCOandits

independentBureauduringthepreparatoryphaseofanapplication,andtosubmitan

expressionofinterestpriortotheproposalbeinglodged.Furthermore,theapplicant

shouldseekco-operationwithrespectivenationalGeologicalSurveys,localpublicand

tourismbodies,localcommunities,universitiesandresearchbodies,andprivateinterest

groups,andtobroadenthecompositionofthestart-upteaminchargeoftheGeopark

project.Thesegroupsshouldberepresentativeofthescientific,cultural,conservation

andsocio-economiccommunitiesofthearea.Awidelocalconsultationprocessmust

involvethelocalpopulationtofacilitatelocalacceptancefortheplannedGeoparkandto

developastrongconceptfortheirGeoparkapplicationdossierandthenecessary

supporttoachieveitsimplementation.

3.Economicdevelopment

SustainabledevelopmentwasdefinedbytheWorldCommissiononEnvironmentand

DevelopmentinOurCommonFuture(1987)as‘development,whichmeetstheneedsof

thepresentgenerationwithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeet

theirownneeds.’

-OneofthemainstrategicobjectivesofaGeoparkistostimulateeconomicactivity

withintheframeworkofsustainabledevelopment.AGeoparkseekingUNESCO's

assistanceservestofostersocio-economicdevelopmentthatisculturallyand

environmentallysustainable.Thishasadirectimpactontheareainvolvedbyimproving

humanlivingconditionsandtheruralandurbanenvironment.Itstrengthensidentification

ofthepopulationwiththeirarea,andstimulates“prideofplace”andcultural

development,whichinturnaidsdirectprotectionofgeologicalheritage.

-Often,aspectsofaregion’sculturalheritagearelinkedtothegeologicalheritage.

Respectfuloftheenvironment,theestablishmentofaGeoparkshallstimulate,for

example,thecreationofinnovativelocalenterprises,smallbusiness,cottageindustries,

initiatehighqualitytrainingcoursesandnewjobsbygeneratingnewsourcesofrevenue

(e.g.geo-tourism,geo-products)whileprotectingthegeo-resourcesoftheGeopark(e.g.

encouragingcastinginsteadofthesaleoffossils).Thisprovidessupplementaryincome

forthelocalpopulationandshallattractprivatecapital.'Geo-tourism'isaneconomic,

success-orientedandfast-movingdiscipline,anewtouristbusinesssectorinvolving

strongmultidisciplinarycooperation.

4.Education

-AGeoparkmustprovideandorganizesupport,tools,andactivitiestocommunicate

geoscientificknowledgeandenvironmentalandculturalconceptstothepublic(e.g.

throughmuseums,interpretiveandeducationalcentres,trails,guidedtours,popular

literatureandmaps,andmoderncommunicationmedia).Italsoallowsandfosters

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scientificresearchandcooperationwithuniversities,awidedisciplineofscientistsand

thelocalpopulace.

-ThesuccessofGeoparkeducationalactivitiesdependsnotonlyonthecontentof

tourismprogrammes,competentstaffandlogisticsupportforthevisitors,butalsoonthe

personalcontactwiththelocalpopulation,mediarepresentatives,anddecision-makers.

Theaspectsofwidecommunityparticipationandcapacitybuildingonthelocallevel(e.g.

trainingofvisitorguides)helpstodevelopawiderangeofacceptanceoftheGeopark

philosophyandtransferofknowledgeandinformationwithinthecommunity.Itcannotbe

repeatedoftenenoughthattheinvolvementoflocalpeopleisofprimaryimportancefor

thesuccessfulestablishmentandmaintenanceofaGeopark.

-Amongtheinstrumentsavailableforthetransferofinformationareeventssuchas

excursionsforschoolclassesandteachers,seminars,andscientificlecturesforthe

environmentallyandculturallyinterestedpublicandforresidentswhoenjoyintroducing

theirlandscapetovisitors.Oneofthemainissuesistolinkgeo-educationwiththelocal

context,thuslocalstudentsshouldlearnabouttheimportanceoftheirgeological

heritageinter-relatedtothebiodiversityandlocalculturalheritage.CreatingEarth

sciencecurriculaforprimaryandsecondaryschools,usingthelocalinformationabout

geology,geomorphology,physicalgeographyaswellasallcomponentsofitsheritage

willhelptopreservetheGeoparkwhileatthesametimereinforcinglocalawareness,

pride,andself-identity.Geoparksshouldbemajoreducationaltoolsatlocalandnational

levels.

-Withintheeducationalconcept,museums,'discoverycentres',interpretivecentresand

otherinnovativenewtoolsmustbedevelopedtopromotetheprinciplesofgeological

heritageconservationandthenecessityofitssafeguardingandprotecting.The

museumsandcentresalsoservefordevelopingdifferenteducationalprogrammesfor

visitorsandthelocalpopulation.

5.Protectionandconservation

-AGeoparkisnotspecificallyanewcategoryofprotectedareaorlandscapeandcanbe

quitedifferentfromwhatissometimesanentirelyprotectedandregulatedNationalPark

orNaturePark,andthebrandingofanareaas“Geopark”doesnotnecessarilyaffectthe

legalstatusoftheland.ForlegalprotectionforcertaingeositeswithintheGeopark,

however,theauthoritiesresponsiblefortheGeoparkmustensureitsprotectionin

accordancewithlocaltraditionsandlegislativeobligations.Itisthegovernmentofthe

countrywheretheGeoparkissituatedwhichdecidesonthelevelandmeasuresof

protectionofcertainsitesorgeologicaloutcrops.

-Inaccordancewithnationallegislationorregulations,aGeoparkshallcontributetothe

conservationofsignificantgeologicalfeaturesincluding:

representativerocksandinsituexposures

mineralsandmineralresources

fossils

landformsandlandscapes

whichprovideinformationonvariousgeoscientificdisciplinessuchas:

solidearthsciences

economicgeologyandmining

engineeringgeology

geomorphology

glacialgeology

physicalgeography

hydrology

mineralogy

palaeontology

petrology

sedimentology

soilscience

speleology

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stratigraphy

structuralgeology

volcanology

AGeoparkexploresanddemonstratesmethodsandbestpractiseinconserving

geologicalheritage.

-ThemanagementauthorityoftheGeoparkensuresadequateprotectionmeasures,in

consultationwithrelevantstatutorybodies,toguaranteeeffectiveconservationand

ensurephysicalmaintenance,asappropriate.Thosesitesremainunderthesole

jurisdictionofthecountry(orcountries)inwhichtheGeoparkissituated.Itiseach

country’sresponsibilitytodecidehowtoprotecttheparticularsitesorareas,in

conformitywithnationallegislationorregulations.

-AGeoparkmustrespectlocalandnationallawsrelatingtotheprotectionofgeological

heritage.Inordertobeseentobeimpartialinitsmanagementofthegeologicalheritage,

theGeoparkmanagingbodymustnotparticipatedirectlyinthesaleofgeological

objects*withintheGeopark(nomatterfromwheretheyaresourced)andshouldactively

discourageunsustainabletradeingeologicalmaterialsasawhole,includingtheselling

ofEarthheritage,mineralsandfossils.Whereclearlyjustifiedasaresponsibleactivity

andaspartofdeliveringthemosteffectiveandsustainablemeansofsitemanagement,

itmaypermitsustainablecollectingofgeologicalmaterialsforscientificandeducational

purposesfromnaturallyrenewablesiteswithintheGeopark.Tradeofgeological

materials(inaccordancewithnationallegislationonEarthheritageconservation)based

onsuchasystemmaybetoleratedinexceptionalcircumstances,provideditisclearly

andpubliclyexplained,justifiedandmonitoredasthebestoptionfortheGeoparkin

relationtolocalcircumstances.Suchcircumstanceswillbesubjecttodebateand

approvalbytheGGNonacasebycasebasis.

*Geologicalobjectsrefertospecimensofrock,mineralsandfossilsofatypethatare

commonlysoldinso-called“rock-shops”.Itdoesnotrefertomaterialfornormal

industrialandhouseholdusewhichissourcedbyquarryingand/orminingandwhichwill

besubjecttoregulationundernationaland/orinternationallegislation.

6.TheGlobalNetwork

-TheGGNprovidesaplatformofcooperationandexchangebetweenexpertsand

practitionersingeologicalheritagematters.UndertheumbrellaofUNESCOandthrough

cooperationwiththeglobalnetworkpartners,importantlocal,andnational,geological

sitesgainworldwiderecognitionandbenefitthroughtheexchangeofknowledgeand

expertise,experienceandstaffbetweenotherGeoparks.Thisinternationalpartnership

developedbyUNESCO,bringstheadvantageofbeingamemberof,andprofitingfrom,

thisworldwidenetwork,ascomparedtoalocalisolatedinitiative.Itallowsany

participatingGeoparktobenefitfromtheexperienceandknowledgeofothermembersof

theNetwork.

-TheNetworkcomprisesallregionsoftheworldandbringstogethergroupsthatshare

commonvalues,interests,orbackgrounds,todevelopaspecificmethodologyand

managementpractices.Itfurtherservestodevelopmodelsofbestpracticeandset

quality-standardsforterritoriesthatintegratethepreservationofgeologicalheritageina

strategyforregionalsustainableeconomicdevelopment.Theestablishmentofa

Geoparkaimstobringsustainabilityandrealeconomicbenefittothelocalpopulations,

usuallythroughthedevelopmentofsustainabletourismandothereconomicandcultural

activities.

GeoparksthatarepartoftheGGN:

1)preservegeologicalheritageforpresentandfuturegenerations

2)educatethebroadpublicaboutissuesingeologicalsciencesandtheirrelationwith

environmentalmatters

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3)ensuresustainablesocio-economicandculturaldevelopment

4)fostermulti-culturalbridgesforheritageandconservationandthemaintenanceof

geologicalandculturaldiversity,usingparticipatoryschemesandco-partnership

5)stimulateresearch

6)contributeactivelytothelifeoftheNetworkthroughjointcollaborativeinitiatives(e.g.

communication,publications,exchangeofinformation,twinning,participationin

meetings,commonprojects)

7)contributearticlestotheGGNNewsletters,booksandotherpublications.

-UNESCOsupportsthedevelopmentofthisinitiative,amongothers,inorderto

establishthegeosciencesontheagendaofpoliticiansanddecision-markersat

international,nationalandlocallevels,aswellaspromotingawarenesswithintheprivate

sector.AlargenumberofactivitieswithinGeoparksarebeingdevelopedworldwideto

increasepartnershipwiththeprivatesector,e.g.thetourismindustry.Theprivatesector

oftenrequestsaninternationalcooperativeframeworkthatUNESCOcanoffer.

UNESCO’sumbrellaalsoassistsinraisingtheinterestofgovernmentsectorsinthis

effort.UNESCOhasastrongawareness-raisingrolethroughinformingthe

AmbassadorsofthedifferentMemberStatesaboutGeoparks.Thisinitselfwillleadtoa

muchbetterunderstandingof,andsupportfor,localinitiativesthatwanttojointheGGN.

-TheinclusionofanaspiringGeoparkintotheGGNisasignofrecognitionof

excellenceinrelationwiththepresentguidelinesandinnowayimpliesanylegalor

financialresponsibilitiesonthepartofUNESCO.Thisrelatesalsototheuseof

UNESCO’snameandlogo,whichneedsaspecialauthorizationrespectingthe

regulatoryframeworkofsponsorshipoftheOrganization.Forapprovednetwork

members,aspeciallogowascreatedfortheGGN.Itisimportanttounderstandthatthis

logoandthementioningofmembershipintheGGNcanonlybeusedafterthe

successfulevaluationoftheapplication,anduponreceiptoftheofficialletterofapproval

fromtheGlobalGeoparksNetworkSecretariat.Further,theuseofthiscommonlogo

linkedtotheidentityoftheGGNMembersisstronglyrecommendedandisessentialto

createacommonimageforallGeoparksthroughouttheworld.

-ShouldamemberoftheGGNwishtouseUNESCO'slogo("templelogo")andname

foraspecificeventoractivity,itcanobtainpatronagethroughtheNationalCommissions

forUNESCO,orbyspecialpermissionoftheDirector-General,whichmustbeexpressly

authorizedinadvanceandinwriting.Itistheresponsibilityofthemanagingbodyofthe

Geoparktoavoidanymisunderstandingswithanyoneinthisregard.Directives

concerningtheuseofthename,acronym,logoandinternetdomainnamesofUNESCO

canbeobtainedatthefollowingwebsite:/new/en/name-and-logo/

PartII-ReportingandPeriodicalreview

-GeoparksthatareamemberoftheGGNshouldrepresentqualityineverythingtheydo

includingconservation,tourism,education,interpretation,development.Thespecified

processesofevaluationandrevalidationhelpensurethemaximumlevelofqualityinour

Geoparks.

-ThestatusofeachGeopark,ofitsmanagementandperformance,shallbesubjecttoa

periodicalreviewwithin4years.Thisreviewisbasedonaprogressreportpreparedby

thedesignatedmanagementbodyoftheGeoparkincooperationwithrespective

authoritiesthatsignedtheoriginalproposal,andforwardedtotheGeoparksSecretariat

atUNESCO.AnexpertmissionissenttoreviewthestatusoftheGeopark.

-Ifonthebasisofthisreport,andexaminationoftheGeoparkbyanexpertmission,the

independentexpertgroupofUNESCOconsidersthatthestatusormanagementofthe

parkissatisfactorysinceitwasdesignatedorlastreviewed,thiswillbeformally

acknowledgedandtheGeoparkwillcontinuetobeamemberoftheGGN.

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-IfitisconsideredthattheGeoparknolongerfulfilsthecriteriaoftheGGNsetoutinthe

presentguidelines,themanagementbodyoftheGeoparkwillberecommendedtotake

appropriatestepstoensuretheacceptedstandardsareadheredtoandmaintained.

ShouldtheGeoparknotfulfilthecriteriawithintwoyears,itshallberemovedfromthe

members’listoftheGGNandceasetobenefitfromalltheprivilegesassociatedwiththe

GlobalGeoparkMembershipincludingtheuseoftheGGNlogo.

-UNESCOshallnotifythemanagementbodyoftheconcernedGeopark,theNational

CommissionforUNESCOandrelevantgovernmentalauthoritiesinthecountryofthe

outcomeoftheperiodicalreview.

-ShouldaGeoparkwishtowithdrawfromtheGGN,itsmanagementbodyshallnotify

theGeoparksSecretariat,itsNationalCommission,andrelevantgovernmental

authoritiesinthecountryconcerned,anditisrequestedtogivethereasonsforits

withdrawal.

-AtanytimeitispossibleforanexistingGeoparktoseektomodifyitsboundaries,

whichshouldfirstbeapprovedbytheGeoparksBureau.Onlyfollowingthisapproval

maytheGGNlogobeusedwithinanynewenlargedterritories.Arequesttochangethe

boundariesshouldbenotifiedtotheGeoparksSecretariatoftheGGNatUNESCOwith

detailsofthepresentandnewboundaries,appropriatemaps,andreasonsfor,and

benefitsfrom,theproposedchange.

-ThedesignationofanareaasamemberoftheGGNshallbegivenappropriate

publicityandpromotionbythemanagementbodyoftheGeoparkconcerned.Itshallalso

keepUNESCOregularlyinformedabouttheongoingprogressanddevelopmentsinthe

Geopark.Thisreferstospecialevents(e.g.twinning,inaugurations,etc.)andtheir

promotionthroughappropriatepublicity,includingwebsitelinksthatcanbeeasily

connectedandreachaworldwidepublic.

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Annex-Applicationprocedure-astep-by-stepprocedure

onhowtobecomeaGlobalGeoparkNetworkmember

-AGeoparkunderpreparationcanrefertoitselfan“AspirantGeopark”ora“Geopark

Project.”Itisnecessarytorespecttheuseoftheterm“Geopark”,andtosafeguardthe

reputationofGeoparkstoensurethattheyreflectqualityinallaspectsoftheirheritage,

productsandservices.Assuch,areasapplyingtobecomemembersoftheGGNshould

refrainfromcallingtheirareas“Geoparks”untilsuchtimesastheirmembership

applicationhasbeenapproved.

-Inordertoguaranteeabalancedgeographicalrepresentationofcountriesthenumber

ofactiveGeoparkapplicationsisrestrictedtotwopercountryatanyonetime.Three

Geoparkapplicationsatthesametimecanbepermittedforcountries,whichapplyfor

thefirsttime,andarenotyetparticipatingintheGGN.

1.Submissionofanapplicationdossier

-GeoparksseekingUNESCO’sassistancemustcontacttheGeoparksSecretariatat

UNESCO,andsubmitanexpressionofinterestpriortothesubmissionofanyapplication

dossier.

GeoparksSecretariat

GlobalEarthObservationSection

DivisionofEcologicalandEarthSciences

UNESCO

1,rueMiollis

75732ParisCedex15

France

Phone:+33(0)145684118

Fax:+33(0)145685822

e-mail:m.patzak@

/science/earth

-TheGeoparksSecretariatatUNESCOshallverifythecontentsoftheapplication

dossierandsupportingmaterialsand,inthecaseofincompletedocumentation,returnit

totheappl