With the inclusion of the first two Greek geoparks in the European Geoparks Network, the Greek Geoparks Forum was also established in Greece, aiming to coordinate and promote the work of Geoparks at a national level. In addition to the existing Geoparks in Greece, this Forum includes the participation of the Greek National Commission for UNESCO, the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME), the Ministries of Tourism and Environment, and other academic institutions.
The Greek Geoparks Forum was established with the aim of coordinating the actions and activities of the areas that have been recognized as UNESCO Global Geoparks and are located in Greece and Cyprus. These are: the Lesvos Petrified Forest (2000), the Psiloritis Natural Park (2001), the Chelmos – Vouraikos National Park (2009), the area of the Vikos – Aoos National Park (2010), the Sitia Natural Park (2015), the Grevena – Kozani Geopark (2021), the Kefalonia – Ithaca Geopark, and the Troodos Geopark.
The purpose of the Forum’s establishment is to coordinate and promote the Greek Geoparks, as well as to enhance efforts to highlight the geological monuments and sites of Greece’s geological and geomorphological heritage.
The activities of the Greek Geoparks Forum include initiatives for the development and recognition of Geoparks at a national level, as well as supporting and strengthening the European Geoparks Network and the Global Geoparks Network through various actions.
The UNESCO Global Geoparks of Greece are:
1. 1. Meteora – Pyli Geopark
2. 2. Lesvos Geopark
3. 3. Psiloritis Geopark
4. 4. Vikos – Aoos Geopark
5. 5. Chelmos – Vouraikos Geopark
6. 6. Sitia Geopark
7. 7. Grevena – Kozani Geopark
8. 8. Kefalonia – Ithaca Geopark
9 9. Lavreotiki Geopark
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