UNESCO Global Geoparks, Geotourism Workshop to Be Held in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa: A regional workshop aimed at creating awareness about UNESCO Global Geoparks and Geotourism Development will be held from May 12-15, 2025, in Addis Ababa. UNESCO Global Geopark is the most recent UNESCO site designation, which includes 229 geoparks across 50 countries as of April 2025. Despite Africa’s significant geological heritage, only 2 out of these 229 geoparks are located on the continent.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, one of the key factors for the low number of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa, including Ethiopia, is a lack of awareness about geoparks among stakeholders. To address this issue, the Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with UNESCO, has organized a workshop aimed at promoting geological heritage protection in Ethiopia, other eastern African countries, and the continent as a whole.

Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa, while briefing the media about the workshop, highlighted Ethiopia’s rich geological hotspots that are worthy of exploration and visitation. She
emphasized that the lack of awareness about geoparks and their significance among stakeholders is a barrier to the designation of geoparks in Africa, including Ethiopia. The regional workshop, under the theme “Promoting UNESCO Global Geoparks and Geotourism as Drivers of Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa,” aims to raise awareness about geoparks and their role in promoting geological heritage protection while enhancing sustainable development.

UNESCO Country Representative to Ethiopia, Rita Bissoonauth, noted that geoparks provide a unique opportunity to showcase natural heritage while engaging and benefiting local communities through sustainable development. UNESCO aims to support sustainable livelihoods, promote local enterprise tourism, and preserve natural and cultural heritages.

The workshop will consist of two components: a high-level forum where 104 national and international participants from 10 countries will present and discuss scientific papers, and visits to selected geosites around Butaj
ira, including UNESCO World Heritage sites of Tiya and Melka Kunture, as well as Balchit archaeological sites.