UNESCO Global Geoparks

The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) (also known as the Global Network of National Geoparks) is UNESCO assisted network established in 1998. Managed under the body's Ecological and Earth Sciences Division, the GGN seeks the promotion and conservation of the planet's geological heritage, as well as encourages the sustainable research and development by the concerned communities. Since 2015, its members are officially designated as UNESCO Global Geoparks. The first batch of members to the GGN were announced during the first International Conference on Geoparks in 2004. ==Geopark admission to the global network==

The international network seeks the membership geoparks—geographical areas where geological heritage is the focus of local protection, education and development. A set of criteria as established by UNESCO Criteria satisfaction is evaluated during biennial meetings (every even year) by the Geoparks Committee, known as the International Conference on Geoparks, which is also in charge with the periodic review of projects related to geological awareness. The first members of the GGN were named during the first conference in 2004, and it has continued to grow since then: The GGN works closely with another project under UNESCO's Ecological and Earth Sciences Division—the Man and Biosphere (MAB) World Network of Biosphere Reserves—to come up with and establish different means of sustainable development in promoting the local communities’ relationship with the natural environment. ==Structure by continent and UNESCO region==

The following table contains the detailed articles on the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGG) and further international recognition frameworks of the geoheritage of each continents and their representative regional geopark networks. Africa Asia Pacific Europe North America Latin America and the Caribbean Continent and UNESCO-Region Notes ==Geopark list by country and continent==

Many of the names in the list below appear in slightly different forms in different documents or webpages, particularly where they have been anglicised. Dates of accession to network, where not otherwise referenced are taken from UNESCO website. Note * Kula Volcanic Geopark designated in 2013 was extended and renamed as Kula Salihli in 2020 ==Geoparks no longer in the GGN==

Whilst the length of the list has grown year on year, some members drop out from time to time, either by choice or by failing the network's revalidation procedures. UNESCO Global Geoparks are given this designation for a period of four years after which the functioning and quality of each UNESCO Global Geopark is thoroughly re-examined during a revalidation process. ==Notes==