ProGEO

30/05/2026

📢 Attention ProGEO members and colleagues! >
A quick reminder that the abstract submission deadline for the 18th International European Geoparks Conference in Saimaa, Finland, is tomorrow, May 31st!

European Geoparks Network
18th European Geoparks Conference 2026
Saimaa Geopark Finland - September 16-18, 2026

KINDLY REMIND TO ALL EUROPEAN GEOPARKS DELEGATES‼️‼️

The deadline for abstract submission in the EGN conference in Saimaa is the 31st of May?

Thank you for your cooperation!!!
Please share it and don’t forget to visit the link!
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://saimaageopark.fi/en/egn2026

29/05/2026

🎬 Watch the highlights from Busan! Check out the video coverage from the international conference on the Key Geoheritage Areas (KGA) conservation program strategy.

It was an incredible event where science met global conservation policy. With strong participation from ProGEO experts, the historic KGA Korea Declaration was officially signed—setting a new global standard for protecting earth sciences ahead of the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. 🌍✨

Watch the full recap below! 👇

https://www.youtube.com/live/a9bnLJFQ1IE?si=X07Cez3t3VXfSFDJ

국가유산청은 5월 27일 부산 벡스코에서 진행되는 ‘K-지질유산의 현황과 전망’ 국제학술대회를 국가유산청 유튜브에서 실시간 중계합니다!이번 학술대회는 제48차 유네스코 세계유산위원회 개최를 50여 일 앞두고 열린 국제행...

29/05/2026

Global geoconservation is hitting the international headlines! Check out this news coverage highlighting the K-Geoheritage Symposium in , where ProGEO experts are actively shaping the future of Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs). 📺 Watch the full report here prepared by Arirang News:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn2lkC_vLsc

29/05/2026

Key Presentations and Insights from the International Conference on KGA Conservation Program Strategy 📚📢

Following the successful launch of the KGA initiative in 📌 , we want to highlight the incredible scientific contributions made during the symposium sessions. The conference featured detailed discussions mapping out how Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs) complement existing structures like Global Geoparks and IUCN protection frameworks.

Several ProGEO members 👩🏻‍🔬👨🏻‍🔬and international colleagues led critical thematic presentations and addressed vital questions for the future of :

Global & Institutional Frameworks: ★Kyung S*k Woo (ProGEO Member, South Korea) opened the discourse on global geoheritage conservation and the strategic positioning of KGAs alongside Korea’s historical natural monuments.

★José Brilha (UNESCO Chair Holder of Geodiversity & Geoconservation, ProGEO Member) outlined the main guidelines, procedures, and crucial next steps for the IUCN KGA initiative.

Insights into global standards were further expanded by ★Robbert Casier (IUCN) and ★ Manu Monge-Ganuzas (ProGEO Executive Secretary).

Thematic presentations:

★Kevin Page (Editor-in-Chief of Geoheritage, ProGEO Member) addressed the major international challenges currently facing geoheritage conservation.

★Piotr Migoń (Wrocław University, ProGEO Member) shared vital research on Erosional Systems, discussing potential Korean sites with exceptional geomorphological value.

★Maria da Gloria-Garcia (ProGEO Member) presented on Tectonic Systems, analyzing potential sites within the KGA framework.

★Melinda McHenry (University of Tasmania, ProGEO Member) brought crucial attention to Soils as Geoheritage, discussing their role in identifying potential KGA resources and addressing conservation challenges in UNESCO Global Geoparks.

The symposium also welcomed input from ★Sophie Justice (Council of Global Geoparks) and Illias Valaikos (European Geoparks Network - EGN), further bridging the gap between national programs and established global networks.

We are incredibly proud of our members' expertise and dedication to ensuring that scientific rigour, ranging from structural geology to geomorphology and pedology, underpins these new international conservation strategies. Stay tuned for further updates on how these frameworks develop!

29/05/2026

ProGEO Members Lead the Way at the "K-Geoheritage" Symposium Ahead of the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee🌐

We are thrilled to share a major milestone in global geoconservation! In Busan, South Korea, an international symposium titled "International Conference on KGA Conservation Program Strategy (K-Geoheritage: Current Status and Future Perspectives)" was recently held. This strategic event took place precisely 50 days ahead of the upcoming 48th World Heritage Committee meeting.

Funded by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), the symposium brought together top-tier international experts to discuss the establishment of a robust framework for Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs). This initiative aims to pioneer a new global standard for the conservation of earth sciences.

A central highlight of the event was the official signing of the Korea , mapping out a shared future vision for international geoheritage policies. ProGEO was heavily represented at the forefront of this monumental step, with several of our distinguished members taking an active part in the panel and declaration ceremony.

Through collaborations like these, continues to strengthen its mission of promoting the protection of geological heritage worldwide, working alongside key global bodies such as and the IUCN.

Read more about the event and its global impact in the press:

📰Arirang News: https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=296589&lang=en

📰 The Korea Times: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/lifestyle/koreanheritage/20260527/korea-to-open-massive-k-heritage-house-at-unesco-session-in-busan

📰 Naver News Coverage (KR) https://n.news.naver.com/article/018/0006291619?sid=103

📰 Asia Economy Report https://www.asiae.co.kr/en/article/life-general/2026052801392580117

25/05/2026

🌍 Exciting News: ProGEO is expanding its horizons in Africa!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the new, dedicated page:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589013175367🚀

Africa is a continent of immense geological wonder, breathtaking landscapes, and crucial geoheritage that deserves a focused spotlight. To bring you closer to local initiatives, scientific discoveries, geoconservation efforts, and community projects across the continent, we have created a dedicated space just for this vibrant region.

We cannot wait to see the development of our new social media brother! 🤝✨

🌍 International Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage
Protecting geoheritage in Africa
🔬 Science – Conservation – Education

20/05/2026

How can we turn complex geological data into stories that captivate tourists and support sustainable development?
Find out in the upcoming Geodiversity & Geoconservation Talks!

🎙️ Topic: Effective geoheritage interpretation: An essential tool for sustainable tourism
🗣️ Speaker: Silvia Bodzáš Palgutová (Slovak Karst National Park, Slovakia)

Interpretation is much more than just putting up info boards, it’s about connecting people to the landscape, fostering respect for nature, and driving sustainable tourism. Silvia will share valuable insights and practical experiences straight from the Slovak Karst National Park.

📅 When: 22 May 2026
⏰ Time: 14:30 (UTC+1 / Lisbon) | 15:30 (CET / Warsaw)

💻 How to join:
The meeting is free and open to everyone via Microsoft Teams.
🔗 Direct Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/34469848144825?p=zCpD072JnSJyPhqPtd
🔑 Meeting ID: 344 698 481 448 25
🔒 Passcode: 5iP9m2F2

See you there! Let's talk geoheritage! 🏔️✨

14/05/2026

Este Geolodía 26 de México nos mostrará la importancia de la conservación del patrimonio natural e histórico. Y lo hará homenajeando a la lengua indígena de , el hñahñu.
🟩⬜🟥

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ecjwGQLmRQY 🎥🎥🎥

30/04/2026

🌍 From to Visitor Experiences: Growing Geotourism in Africa!

The recent (13-15 April 2026) International Virtual Workshop was a resounding success, bringing together a global community of experts and enthusiasts! With over 170 active participants joining the journey, the energy was palpable. 🚀

Key Takeaways from the Workshop:

🇮🇪 Global Insights: Clare Glanville (Geological Survey Ireland) showcased Ireland’s national coordination for geoheritage and the success of their five Global Geoparks. The message was clear: partnerships and planning are paramount.

⚖️ Policy & Governance: Dr. Ganiyu Mosuro led the final day’s focus on the essential frameworks needed to protect and promote Africa's unique geological treasures.

🤝 Community Impact: The sessions emphasized that conservation only works when it involves local communities, sustainable funding, and a passion for tourism development.

24/04/2026

Take a look at this striking visualization from Visual Capitalist. It reminds us how precious our dry land is—covering only 29% of the planet—and how that area is distributed among nations. 🗺️

At ProGEO, we look at this map through the lens of geoheritage and geodiversity. Here’s why these proportions matter for the conservation of Earth’s abiotic nature:

Global Custodians: Just 10 countries occupy over half of Earth’s land surface. This means a huge portion of the world's geological history—from ancient cratons to massive mountain belts—lies within a few national jurisdictions. Their policies on geoconservation have a truly global impact! 🇷🇺🇨🇦🇨🇳🇺🇸

Small Scale, Big Importance: While many countries appear as tiny dots on this scale, their geological significance is often immense. Small territories can host "golden spikes" (GSSPs), unique mineral localities, or tectonic sutures that are vital for understanding the evolution of our entire planet.

The geological processes that shaped the landmasses shown here occurred millions of years before today’s political boundaries existed. Effective geoconservation requires international cooperation that transcends the sizes and shares seen on this map.

The Hidden 70%: This graphic also highlights the vastness of our oceans. The geoheritage of the seabed like mid-ocean ridges, hydrothermal vents, and abyssal plains, remains the most extensive and least protected part of our planet’s geological story. 🌊🌋

Geodiversity is not distributed equally by area. Whether a country covers 3% or 0.001% of the Earth's surface, its duty to protect the "memory of the Earth" is universal.

Where is your favorite geological wonder located on this map? Let us know in the comments! 👇



Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/countries-by-share-of-earths-surface/