Definitiion of Global Geopark
Global Geopark, one of UNESCO’s three natural environmental preservation systems –“World Heritage”, “Biosphere Reserve” and “Global Geopark”- aims for sustainable local development by preserving areas with topographical and geological heritage, ecological, historical and cultural value and utilizing them for research and education, while also operating geotourism(tourism utilizing natural topographical and geological heritage) with the areas. UNESCO Global Geopark became its official program at the 38th UNESCO General Conference in 2015.
Global Geopark adopted top-down method through formation of the geopark network in February, 2004. As of 2019, 147 Global Geoparks in 41 countries including Jeju Island, Cheongsong and Mudeungsan Mountain area Global Geopark in Korea were active members.
To join Global Geopark, an application needs to be submitted to UNESCO. Then, membership can be granted based on site inspection and certification. Global Geopark adopting certiciation system-based operation like National Geopark, is subject to membership reevaluation every four years. According to the results, parks can be recertified as Global Geopark or excluded. In cases of failure to be recertified, National Geopark status can be maintained.
There are the Global Geoparks Network(GGN), European Geoparks Network(EGN) and Asia Pacific Geoparks Network(APGN).
UNESCO Global Geopark Certification
- The objective is to develop local economy through preservation, education and tourism by utilizing all regional resources; geological, biological, archeological, historical and cultural.
- Unlike those subject to protection with restriction of action including World Heritage, Biosphere Reserves, National Park System and Wetlands Protection Areas that should be protected and preserved as the first priority, there are no restrictions on local residents’ exercising their property rights due to designation of key objects of attention such as Geo sites without separate zoning.
- With conservation of geological attractions, they can be utilized for educational and tourism purposes at the same time. Global Geopark is an alternative park system aiming to increase local residents’ income and develop the local economy.
UNESCO Global Geopark Certification Procedure
*Source: National Geopark(https://www.koreageoparks.kr)
UNESCO Global Geoparks Revalidation Procedure
UNESCO Global Geoparks also require revalidation every four years. One year before the revalidation year, a summary report and progress report up to the end of January of the revalidation year should be submitted to UNESCO before site inspection.
After the UNESCO Board’s review of the reports, revalidation is decided upon. When the concerned geopark is deemed to satisfy all the standards, a green card is granted and UNESCO Global Geopark status is maintained. If it is deemed to have fallen short of the standards, a yellow card is given, then after two years of supplementation, reports for revalidation should be submitted again before site inspection and the Board decides upon revalidation once again. If it is still deemed to be substandard, a red card is given and the park will lose its Global Geopark status.
*Source: National Geopark(https://www.koreageoparks.kr)
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