Ten years after the creation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme, the fastest growing programme within UNESCO, the 51st Coordination Meeting of the European Geoparks Network took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, on 5–6 March 2025. With the clear intention of honouring this important anniversary, the meeting brought together representatives of all 109 UNESCO Global Geoparks in Europe, along with the Coordinators of the European Geoparks Network, the Executive Board of the Global Geoparks Network, Ambassadors, UNESCO officials, and representatives of other organisations, as well as participants from Geoparks in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Canada and Latin America.

  

During the sessions, organisational and operational matters of the network were discussed and decided. At the same time, an interactive workshop on Climate Change was held, coordinated by the network’s working group. Within the framework of this workshop, our Geopark made a brief presentation of the RescueME project, in which it participates as a partner.

  

Open discussions were also held to present the initiatives of Geoparks at local and international level in relation to the management of natural and cultural heritage, sustainable development, education and the promotion of Geoparks. A tasting event was also organised with a buffet of local products from many European Geoparks, during which delicacies from all Greek Geoparks were offered.
  

During the visit of the members of the Hellenic Geoparks Forum to Paris, a meeting was organised with the Ambassador of Greece, Mr. G. Koumoutsakos, who welcomed the representatives of the Hellenic Forum, discussed issues concerning Greek Geoparks and expressed his support for their work.

The event was coordinated by Ms. Sophie Justice and Dr. Charalambos Fasoulas, Coordinators of the European Geoparks Network, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme and the French National Commission for UNESCO.



Photos by: European Geoparks Network and members of the Hellenic Geoparks Forum.