UNESCO Council Proposes 11 New Global Geoparks
The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council recommended 11 sites, including the first geoparks in Cuba, Ethiopia and Namibia, for endorsement.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Geography
The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council proposed 11 new UNESCO Global Geoparks after its 11th statutory meeting at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 2 to 4 November 2026. The proposed designations include the first UNESCO Global Geoparks in Cuba, Ethiopia and Namibia.
Why it matters
The proposals expand the UNESCO Global Geoparks network to new countries and mark a step toward recognizing geological heritage across more regions. The designations still require approval by the UNESCO Executive Board before they take effect.
The Council reviewed 81 dossiers, including new applications, deferred applications, area modifications and revalidations, before proposing 11 new designations. Whether the Executive Board will endorse all 11 proposals has not yet been determined.
The players
UNESCO Global Geoparks Council
The advisory body that evaluates geopark applications and forwards nominations to UNESCO, operating under the broader UNESCO Global Geoparks network established to recognize sites of geological significance.
UNESCO Executive Board
The governing body of UNESCO that decides which proposed sites receive formal designation, meeting several times a year to oversee the organization's programs and budget.
The details
The Council examined dossiers covering new applications, previously deferred applications, requests for area modifications and revalidations of existing geoparks. It elected its Bureau at the start of the session, with Bureau members renewed every two years. The Council forwards its nominations to the Executive Board for endorsement.
Timeline
2 to 4 November 2026: Council holds its 11th statutory meeting at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
Spring 2027: UNESCO Executive Board considers endorsement of the 11 proposed geoparks.
Big Picture
The proposals extend the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, which already includes sites across multiple continents, into new countries for the first time. The expansion adds Cuba, Ethiopia and Namibia to the list of nations with designated geoparks.
If endorsed, the designations would give Cuba, Ethiopia and Namibia their first UNESCO Global Geoparks, which could bring increased visibility to those sites. Designation does not by itself change access or ownership of the land.
The takeaway
Geoparks recognize landscapes that tell the story of Earth's geological history, and the new proposals show that this recognition is spreading to more parts of the world. Readers interested in the process can follow future Executive Board decisions in 2027.
What happens next
The UNESCO Executive Board is expected to consider endorsement of the 11 proposed geoparks during its spring 2027 session.
Further reading
Explore more on Geography to see how geological heritage sites like these are studied and protected.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UNESCO.
