International scientific and practical conference “UNESCO Global Geoparks. From Idea to Implementation”

From 23 to 27 April 2024, the international scientific and practical conference “UNESCO Global Geoparks. From Idea to Implementation” was held in the Republic of Bashkortostan in the Yangan-Tau UNESCO Global Geopark.

Representatives of existing geoparks in Russia, as well as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and even Malaysia shared their experience in organizing the work of geoparks with the event participants.

From the Karpinsky Institute, the event was attended by Director General Pavel Khimchenko and Executive Secretary of the National Committee, UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme Sergey Semiletkin..

In his speech “The role of the Karpinsky Institute in the creating of geoparks in Russia and the CIS,” Mr. Khimchenko noted that “over the past years, the Institute has taken part in the preparation of three applications for the geoparks creation, including the Yangan-Tau application. The Institute’s staff provided scientific and methodological assistance in preparing and passing applications through UNESCO institutions.”

During the Conference, a number of issues related to the creation and development of a network of geoparks in Russia and the CIS countries were also discussed. In particular, it was noted that
- geoparks are a relevant and promising form of sustainable economic development of areas, tourism, education, and scientific research;
- creation of geoparks helps strengthen local identity through educational activities, patriotism development, and a positive country’s image formation;
- geoparks are aimed at preserving and promoting natural and cultural heritage.

At the conference, more than 50 experts from different regions of Russia and other countries of the world showed their interest in the creation and development of geoparks.

Let us remind that today there are 4 geoparks officially existing in Russia: Altai Geopark (Altai Republic); Yangan-Tau Geopark (Republic of Bashkortostan) – approved in 2019 as a UNESCO Global Geopark; Toratau Geopark (Republic of Bashkortostan); Undoria Geopark (Ulyanovsk Region).
The Lena Pillars geopark (Republic of Sakha-Yakutia) is under formation. Intentions have been declared to create geoparks in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, Irkutsk Region, in the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia (Mirny), the Republic of North Ossetia (Alania), in the Republic of Dagestan.