Saudi Arabia Earns UNESCO Recognition for Its First Two Geoparks

April 28, 2025 | 03:27 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - UNESCO has officially recognized North Riyadh and Salma Geopark in Saudi Arabia as part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGG) network. These two geological parks are among the 16 newly inaugurated geoparks in Paris, France, during the 221st Executive Board session of UNESCO from April 2 to 17, 2025. With these additions, the total number of UGG sites has reached 229 in 50 countries.

North Riyadh Geopark offers visitors coral reef fossils over 150 million years old. Additionally, geological transformations can be found in limestone caves and mountains.

Meanwhile, Salma Geopark in Hail presents a dramatic natural landscape of rare volcanic formations, including calderas, lava fields, and volcanic craters. The mountain has had geological activity for millions of years. The geopark features several must-see attractions such as Harrat Hutaymah crater, Taba Heritage Village, Mount Salma, Faid Reservoir, Darb Zubaidah, Faid Museum, Maar Crater Formations, and Abu Alda'a Nature Reserve.

Hussam Al-Turki, director of the Saudi Geoparks Initiative, stated that this achievement aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy to position the country as a global leader in environmental sustainability.

“From the beginning, we aspired for these geoparks to be more than geological sites — they are living platforms that narrate Earth’s stories, bearing witness to the passage of time and reflecting the rich natural diversity we possess,” Al-Turki told Arab News.

Geological Heritage Conservation

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the newly designated UGG sites include areas in China, North Korea, Ecuador, Indonesia, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated that in 10 years, UNESCO Geoparks have become a model for conserving geological heritage. "But their role goes much further: they support educational projects, promote sustainable tourism, and keep the knowledge and traditions of these territories alive through the active participation of local and indigenous communities," Azoulay said, as reported by Travel and Leisure.

What is UGG?

The UNESCO Global Geoparks network is a carefully selected, exclusive club. The chosen areas must meet criteria for protecting natural landscapes while promoting education, science, and sustainable development. The project includes local community involvement and emphasizes environmental protection. It also expands opportunities for research and tourism.

This year, UGG is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Each year, the UNESCO Executive Board reviews applications with the Global Geoparks Council, a committee of international experts reviewing a site's eligibility for registration.

Editor's Choice: UNESCO Welcomes 16 New Sites to Global Geopark Network, Two from Indonesia

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