We are pleased to invite you to the Open Session of the International Geoscience Programme Council and the presentation of the new UNESCO Global Geoparks applicants followed by an information meeting on UNESCO Global geoparks.
This meeting will take place in Room IV (Fontenoy Building) from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday 12 March 2024.
The Provisional Agenda is attached herewith for your kind information.
Developing an advanced understanding of the Earth’s fundamental processes and resources is essential to reaching UN Sustainable Development Goals. The International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, with its two pillars, the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) and UNESCO Global Geoparks, aim to enable UNESCO Member States to use the UNESCO designated sites as learning sites for inclusive and comprehensive approaches to environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainable development.
The International Geoscience Programme is a joint programme of UNESCO and The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). It supports scientific projects related to the Earth sciences across the world, selected by the International Geoscience Programme Council and Scientific Board and involving the five themes of the Programme:
▪ Earth Resources: Sustaining our society;
▪ Global Change: Evidence from the geological record;
▪ Geohazards: Mitigating the risks;
▪ Hydrogeology: Geoscience of the water cycle; and,
▪ Geodynamic control of our environment.
The International Geoscience Programme Council will assemble in closed session from 10 to 12 March 2024 to evaluate ongoing projects and agree 2024 vision and priorities for the IGCP. The Open Session that will be held on 12 March 2024 will allow us to present the major outcomes of the International Geoscience Programme Council meeting and the outcomes of IGCP projects in 2023.
An information sheet on each International Geoscience Programme theme and the 2023 annual report will be made available online at the following address: https://www.unesco.org/en/iggp/igcp-council#resources
On the occasion of the Open Session, and within the framework of the UNESCO Global Geoparks, new geopark applications, as well as one application for area extension, will be presented.
We aim to make best use of your participation in the open session by also collecting your inquiries and suggestions regarding the UNESCO Global Geoparks pillar of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme. We invite you therefore to an information session on the UNESCO Global Geoparks concept and procedures, which will be held immediately following the presentations of the new geoparks applications. The aim of this meeting is to present and discuss the recent and future capacity building and promotion events related to UNESCO Global Geoparks and their achievements. Your participation would be very valuable to us.
