The Global Geoparks Network welcomed 8 new members

The event was attended by the 8 new UNESCO Global Geoparks Representatives, the Permanent Delegations at UNESCO of the respective Member States, the National UNESCO Commissions of the respective Member States, the 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks Representatives, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council members, the Global Geoparks Network Executive Board members, the Global Geoparks Network individual and honorary members.
With these 8 new designations, the number of sites participating in the Global Geoparks Network is now 177 in 46 countries. Two new countries, Luxembourg and Sweden, this year join the Global Network with the designation of their first geoparks. The Network now covers a worldwide surface area of 370,662 km², comparable to the area of Japan.
wo of the newly designated UNESCO Global Geoparks are situated in Latin America and six in Europe. Owing to COVID-19 restrictions, no new applications from Asia, Africa or the Arab region could be evaluated this year. The newly designated UNESCO Global Geoparks are: Seridó UNESCO Global Geopark, and Southern Canyons Pathways UNESCO Global Geopark, Brazil; Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark, Finland; Ries UNESCO Global Geopark, Germany; Kefalonia-Ithaca UNESCO Global Geopark, Greece; Mëllerdall UNESCO Global Geopark, Luxembourg; Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark, Romania; Platåbergens UNESCO Global Geopark, Sweden

Participating in the welcome event, the new UNESCO Global Geoparks introduced their unique geological, natural, biodiversity and cultural values along with typical traditional cultural performances. The participation of the 8 new members in the Global Geopark Network contributes to strengthening the common efforts in preserving and promoting the values of geological, natural and cultural heritage. At the same time, the new geoparks will have the opportunity to cooperate with other GGN members in projects and programs as well as apply good practices in sustainable development.