The vision of the UNESCO chair on Geoparks and Sustainable Development of insular and coastal areas is to support better understanding and capacity building of local stakeholders in islands and coastal areas on how a UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as using our earth’s resources sustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing natural disasters-related risks. The bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is n the center of the efforts to implement the above vision.