7th UNESCO Global Geoparks Conference
Successful re-evaluation of the Vikos-Aoos Geopark
In Torbay, England, specifically within the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, the 7th International Conference of UNESCO Global Geoparks was successfully held from 27th to 30th September 2016. The conference was organised by the Global Geoparks Network and attended by 700 delegates from 63 countries.
The main themes discussed at the conference, which was attended by Directors and executives from UNESCO, Global Geoparks, academics and researchers, were the implementation of guidelines for the recognition of areas as «UNESCO Global Geoparks», the development of geotourism and the provision of high-quality services to visitors in the areas, the promotion and utilisation of geological heritage sites and landscapes, the development of partnerships between geoparks and their promotion as quality tourist destinations, the development of educational activities and the informing and raising of public awareness on issues of natural disaster management.
As part of the conference, the 1st Session of the 16-member Council of the new «UNESCO Global Geoparks» Programme took place, during which the assessment of 18 new applications for areas to be recognised as UNESCO Global Geoparks and the reassessment of 22 areas that already hold the recognition occurred.
The Head of UNESCO's Geosciences and Disaster Risk Reduction Programme, Prof. P. Mc Keever, announced at the closing of the Conference the results of the reassessment of Geoparks that are members of the Global Network. Among the areas that were successfully reassessed and retain their recognition as UNESCO Global Geoparks for the next 4 years are the two Greek Geoparks that were under assessment, the Lesvos Geopark and the Vikos-Aoos Geopark.
At the conference's closing ceremony, commemorative trophies were awarded to the Sitia and Troodos Geoparks, which were admitted to the Global Geoparks Network in 2015 and recognised as UNESCO Global Geoparks.
During the conference, the General Assembly of the Global Geoparks Network took place, with the participation of representatives from 120 UNESCO Global Geoparks from 33 countries. The new operational regulations and the code of conduct of the Global Network were approved at the General Assembly, and a Managing Committee and the Presidency of the Advisory Committee were elected.
Professor Nikolaos Zouros, Director of the Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos and Coordinator of the Lesvos Geopark, has been elected President of the Global Geoparks Network.
Furthermore, on 26 September 2016, the 38th Meeting of European Geoparks was held, where their actions, the coordination of promotional activities at a European level were discussed, and it was decided to organise activities within the framework of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017, with the aim of promoting the 69 Global Geoparks operating in Europe as quality tourist destinations.
The Vikos-Aoos Geopark was represented at the said conference and at all the relevant assemblies of the Geoparks Networks by the president of the Geopark Preservation and Promotion Committee, Mr. Charitakis Papaioannou (IPEIRUS S.A.), who conveyed the good news of the positive evaluation in Epirus.
The retention of «our» Geopark in the European and Global Geoparks Network, as well as in the UNESCO Global Geoparks (Vikos-Aoos – UNESCO Global Geopark), indicates not only the significance of the region on a geological, natural, and cultural level, but also the need for its proper management and promotion as a UNESCO «Monument».
