December 12-14, 2022

The Art of geological heritage conservation at UNESCO with a glimpse on the Arab region was discussed during an event organized by UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States on 26 February 2022 at the UN Hub at EXPO Dubai 2020 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.  International experts joined the event to bring insights on the geological heritage conservation and discussed prospects for the designation of UNESCO Global Geoparks in the Arab region.

On Behalf of Dr. Abdulaziz Almuzaini Director of UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States in Cairo, Dr. Elsa Sattout launched the event tapping on the history of UNESCO Global Geoparks and the importance of the geological heritage conservation in the Arab Region. She highlighted that these landmarks designated by UNESCO embeds not only the Art of geological heritage conservation but also the Art of living within and beyond their territories. Dr. Sattout said that establishing the Arab Geopark Network seems to be a long journey; however, we at UNESCO ought to go all extra-miles to protect the geological heritage in our region. She added that UNESCO Cairo is recognizing the importance of this heritage. ThE Regional Bureau is striving to strengthen the governance of Geological Heritage Conservation in the Arab region with the GEO-Schemas project funded by the Spanish Agency for Development (AECID) and implemented in close collaboration with UNESCO Regional Office in Montevideo. The project came on time to pave the way for the establishment of the Arab Geopark Network. Geo-schemas project on Management Schemes for UNESCO Global Geoparks in Latin America, the Caribbean, West – and North Africa (Arab States) is the first intra-regional project which brings countries and regions together to empower national and local stakeholders for Effective Management of Geological Heritage. It taps on the leadership in Geological Heritage Conservation through education and training, creative economy, geotourism, and green jobs.

The interventions started with Dr. Elsa Sattout – Programme Specialist of the Ecology and Earth Sciences Programme, who presented the Geoschemas project objectives, vision and activities as well as the concept of UNESCO Global Geoaprk and took the audience in a virtual tour showing some of the unique UNESCO Global Geoparks form all over the world. Dr. Nickolas Zouros, President of Global Geopark Network (GGN) from Greece presented the origin and history of the Global Geoaprks Network and he noted the added value from joining the GGN and the benefits of being part of this global network which brings together 44 countries with 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks. Dr. Driss Achbal President of Geopark M’Goun Association in Morocco shared the evolution of the conservation journey of M’Goun Geopark and presented the story of this  pioneer site in the Arab region. He talked about the challenges faced by M’GOUN and noted that the Geopark still stands strong amid all setbacks encountered.