A number of countries are currently establishing or have established national committees (e.g. Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Italy) responsible for coordinating Geoparks at national level and the submission of candidates for UNESCO Global Geopark designation.

Possible members of National Geopark Committees:

• Governmental body in charge of relations with UNESCO;
• UNESCO Global Geoparks;
• National Geoparks;
• National geological organization or survey;
• National environmental/protected area organization;
• National cultural heritage body;
• National committee for IGCP;
• Any additional members that may be relevant for the Committee.

Its work at national level may consist of:

• Coordinating Geopark initiatives and pre-selecting UNESCO Global Geopark candidates;
• Identifying the geological heritage and raising public awareness of its importance;
• Promoting  new UNESCO Global Geoparks projects, endorsing revalidations and extensions;
• Observing the evaluation and revalidation missions in their country;
• Presenting all UNESCO Global Geopark applications to the governmental body in charge of relations with UNESCO;
• Assisting the withdrawal of a UNESCO Global Geopark;
• Promoting international cooperation between UNESCO Global Geoparks;
• Providing information about the global and regional Geopark networks;
• Supporting the realization of actions for sustainable development.

Related document

• 4.4 National Geopark Committees (in the Operational Guidelines for UNESCO Global Geoparks) (pdf)