Geoparks: A bottom-up approach of protection, education and sustainable development

For the first time since its creation in 2015, UNESCO held a regional capacity building workshop on UNESCO Global Geoparks for Africa in Baringo, Kenya. Baringo County, an aspiring geopark, was a strategic host for the representative of the thirteen African countries, present to learn from experiences of their nomination journey and about the latest UNESCO mechanism of international cooperation based on geological heritage of international value. The workshop was largely dedicated to the assessment of the rich geological heritage in Africa and how to connect it to the natural, cultural and intangible heritage of the region, to reconcile its protection with a sustainable development. Therefore, UNESCO encourages governments and related organizations to protect and conserve their geodiversity via national programmes. Baringo County was also a beneficiary of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Grant for Geoparks in Africa. Kenya showed her political commitment and interest for the geopark concept, as leaders from the Baringo County leadership such as H.E. the Governor Mr. Benjamin Cheboi, Senators, County leaders, as well as Members of Parliament, and the Cabinet Secretary (Minister), Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, Kenya were present.

UNESCO Global Geoparks are established through a bottom-up process involving all relevant local and regional stakeholders and authorities in the area (e.g. landowners, community groups, tourism providers, indigenous people, and local organizations). This process requires firm commitment by the local communities, a strong local multiple partnership with long-term public and political support, and the development of a comprehensive strategy that will meet all of the communities’ goals while showcasing and protecting the area’s geological heritage.

As of April 2022, there are 177 UNESCO Global Geoparks within 46 Member States, covering a total area of 370,662 km². However, only two geoparks are in Africa, namely: M’Goun (Morocco) and Ngorongoro Lengai (Tanzania). Yet Africa has a rich geodiversity and geo-heritage.

Morocco is the current president of the Africa UNESCO Global Geopark Network, providing networking opportunities, training and support to other African countries. The workshop was a timely event for African countries to learn the fundamentals of UNESCO Global Geoparks concept: what are they? what makes them special? in what way are they different from other site designations? and how are they created?

What is a geopark?

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development. They apply a bottom-up approach, combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities. The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council is responsible for assessing new UNESCO Global Geopark proposals, as well as the revalidation of existing UNESCO Global Geoparks. If endorsed by the Council, the nomination of new Geopark proposals is then submitted to the Executive Board of UNESCO for endorsement.

On the first regional capacity building workshop on Geoparks in Africa held from 13 to 15 December 2022, it was noted that the concept of UNESCO Global Geopark is still relatively new, and more trainings should be provided to raise awareness at local, national, regional and continental levels. In addition, the workshop provided opportunities for countries to identify/discuss potential UNESCO Global Geoparks sites and ongoing initiatives in Africa. What is their potential?

After two-day intensive training and sharing of experiences from UNESCO experts and Global Geoparks Network facilitators, as well as aspiring geopark representatives, a field trip to Baringo Great Rift Valley Geopark was organized for the delegates to experience the unique steep-fault scarps, deep gorges, cliffs, escarpment, lake systems, gushing geysers and hot springs that are part of the geopark.

The three-day training was a collaboration of UNESCO and the Global Geopark Network working closely with the regional network in Africa (AUGGN), as well as UNESCO National Commissions especially with support from the German National Commission and UNESCO Regional Field Offices with the financial support of the Government of Flanders, Kingdom of Belgium. The meeting had representatives from Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Source: UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization