Charnwood Forest has taken an important step towards securing UNESCO Global Geopark status this week, following a decision by the UNESCO Global Geopark Council.
The Council held its 11th statutory meeting from 2-4 November at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, and examined a total of 81 applications, area modifications, and revalidation reports.
11 new UNESCO Global Geoparks have been proposed by the Council for nomination to UNESCO’s Executive Board. The proposed designations include the first ever UNESCO Global Geoparks in Cuba, Ethiopia, and Namibia, as well as Charnwood Forest, which received the unanimous backing of the Council.
The Council’s decision is based on a Report prepared by two Evaluators who visited Charnwood Forest earlier this year.
Charnwood Forest is not Britain’s only applicant in this round; Cross Channel – Transmanche also received the support of the Council. This exciting transnational Geopark links the Kent Downs National Landscape with France’s Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Nature Park.
The proposal for 11 new UNESCO Global Geoparks will now proceed for approval by the UNESCO Executive Board at its 226th session, with the final decision expected on 29 April 2027.
The full list of the 11 Geoparks proposed for endorsement is:
- Bojonegoro (Indonesia)
- Cabox (Canada)
- Central Ethiopia Rift Valley (Ethiopia)
- Charnwood Forest (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Cross Channel – Transmanche (France / United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Khon Kaen (Thailand)
- La Hague (France)
- Nama-!Garib (Namibia)
- Niagara (Canada)
- Pillanmapu (Chile)
- Viñales (Cuba)
More details on the decisions of the UNESCO Global Geopark Council can be found on the UNESCO website.