EVENTS

The 4th Conference of UNESCO World Geoparks in Greece and Cyprus, entitled: "SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IN THE WORLD GEOPARS UNESCO GREECE - CYPRUS", which took place this year in Sitia, from 25 to 27 May 2023, with the participation of the Natural History Museum of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos and representatives of all Greek and Cypriot Geoparks.

For 3 days, scientists from all Greek and Cypriot Geoparks, universities and research centres, representatives of the state and local government, local stakeholders, exchanged experiences and proposals, highlighting the role of Global Geoparks in the sustainable development of local communities and education.

The conference was attended and addressed by the Regional Governor of Crete and the Deputy Regional Governors of Crete, Lassithi, and Tourism of Crete, the Mayor of Sitia, the Members of Parliament of Lassithi, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus and the representative of OFYPEKA.

The opening speech of the conference was delivered by the Professor of the University of the Aegean and President of UNESCO World Geoparks, Mr. N. Zouros, on the topic of Geoparks: Enhancing Natural Heritage and Sustainable Development.

During the first two days of the 4th Conference of the World Geoparks of Greece and Cyprus, 50 papers were presented, which highlighted the pluralism and holistic approach of Geoparks and how important their presence is in the sustainable development of their regions.

During the conference, the Museum's actions for the promotion of the natural heritage of Lesvos in the context of its recognition as a UNESCO World Geopark were presented. Specifically, the actions for the promotion of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos and the new fossiliferous sites along the road axis Kalloni - Sigri, and the educational and information actions, local development and geotourism in Lesvos in the framework of the Act "Actions for the promotion of protected areas of Lesvos", which has been included in the Operational Programme "North Aegean 2014-2020".

In particular, 3 thematic sessions were developed by the staff of the Natural History Museum of Petrified Forest:

• • Promotion and exploitation of fossil sites from the execution of major public works in the area of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, Zouros Nikolaos, Valiakos Elias, Bentana Konstantina

• • Three-dimensional mapping of geological heritage sites and its utilization in the management of geological heritage monuments in the Geopark of Lesvos, Nikolaos Soulakellis, Nikolaos Zouros, Elias Valiakos, Constantina Mpentana.

• • Educational programs and awareness raising actions for NATURA 2000 sites with emphasis on the wetlands of Lesvos Island - UNESCO World Geopark, Zouros Nikolaos, Bentana Konstantina, Galinou Eleni, Valiakos Ilias

The objectives of the Conference were to highlight the contribution and the role of Geoparks in sustainable local development through the promotion of geotourism, the promotion of the UNESCO World Geoparks of Greece and Cyprus, the exchange of good practices and the sensitization of local communities through information and education of the younger generations.

The conference was organised by the UNESCO World Geopark of Sitia, in cooperation with the Greek Geoparks Forum, the Cyprus National Committee of UNESCO, the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency, the Greek National Committee of UNESCO and the Municipal Organisation for Socio-Cultural Development of Sitia (DOKAS). The conference was co-organised by the Region of Crete and the Municipality of Sitia, with the support of the Sitia Development Agency, the Municipality of Sitia Monopoly Enterprise (MADES), the Regional Unit of Lassithi and Regions4Climate (R4C).