Participation of the UNESCO Chair on Geoparks and the sustainable development of insular and coastal areas in the National Meeting of UNESCO Global Geoparks
The participation of the UNESCO Chair on Geoparks and the sustainable development of insular and coastal areas in the National Meeting and the Technical Meeting of the International Program of UNESCO Global Geoparks, organized by the Greek National Commission for UNESCO at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, January 30, 2025, was carried out with particularly positive results.
The meeting was attended by the President of the Greek National Commission for UNESCO, Ms. Ekaterini Tzitzikosta, the Deputy Governors of Attica, Ms. R. Moraitaki and Ionian Islands, Mr. S. Ioannou, Mr. T. Verros, of Mr. P. Sok. Kefalogiannis, of Lavreotiki, of Meteora, Mr. K. Maravas, Representatives of the Regional Governor of Thessaly. Tsioras, Deputy Mayors of the Municipalities of Sitia, Kozani, Grevena, Deskati, Pyli as well as the Coordinators and representatives of the 9 Greek UNESCO Global Geoparks.
The Mayor of West Lesvos, Mr. Taxiarchis Verros, and the Mayor of Mytilene, Mr. Panagiotis Christofas, during their intervention referred to the actions implemented by the Municipality of West Lesvos and the Municipality of Mytilene in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos for the promotion of our natural heritage and sustainable development in the Lesvos Geopark.
The main speaker at the meeting was Professor Nikolaos Zouros, President of the Global Geoparks Network and chair holder of UNESCO Chair on Geoparks and the sustainable development of insular and coastal areas , who referred to the goals and results of the UNESCO Global Geoparks International Program, the participation of Greece, the actions for the promotion of natural heritage, tourism and sustainable development, as well as the prospects for the future. He also referred to the obligations arising from the recognition.
The National Meeting was followed by a Technical Meeting of the Representatives of the Greek UNESCO Global Geoparks, during which issues of cooperation between the Greek National Committee and the Greek UNESCO Global Geoparks were discussed, in the context of the implementation of the provisions and obligations arising from the Statute and the Operating Regulations of the International UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme.
The result of the meeting is the commitment of the Greek UNESCO National Committee to support the requests for support of the Geoparks to the competent Ministries of Environment, Culture and Tourism with special meetings.
