According to Qeshm Free Zone Media Centre, the closing ceremony of the 11th UNESCO Global Geoparks Conference was held in the presence of Chilean officials and senior representatives of the Global Geoparks Network. During the ceremony, Portugal was officially announced as the host of the 12th UNESCO Global Geoparks Conference.

Published on : Sep 17, 2025

According to Qeshm Free Zone Media Centre, the closing ceremony of the 11th UNESCO Global Geoparks Conference was held in the presence of Chilean officials and senior representatives of the Global Geoparks Network. During the ceremony, Portugal was officially announced as the host of the 12th UNESCO Global Geoparks Conference.

In the final segment of the event, Artur Sá, President of the Global Geoparks Network, emphasised the importance of sustaining scientific, cultural and educational cooperation among geoparks.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the moment Nikolas Zouros, a member of the Executive Board of the Global Geoparks Network, presented the newly published book Geoparks: The Traveller's Notebook to the Director of Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark. Published in 2025 by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, the book portrays geoparks as living narratives of the Earth, culture, and local communities, offering inspiration for the development of geotourism worldwide.

It is noteworthy that Iran's UNESCO Global Geoparks, including Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark, are featured in the publication, further highlighting the country's position on the international stage. Drawing upon the ideas and narratives presented in this work may contribute to the development of innovative geotourism experiences across Iran's geoparks.

It is worth noting that the 11th UNESCO Global Geoparks Conference was held in Chile in September 2025. Bringing together representatives of more than 230 geoparks from 50 countries, the event provided a unique platform for scientific exchange, the presentation of specialised research, and the promotion of geopark initiatives and achievements.

Iran participated actively through its three UNESCO Global Geoparks—Qeshm, Aras and Tabas. Alongside the conference, more than 330 specialised papers from 33 countries were presented, addressing themes such as sustainable local community development, education and communication, climate change, and the role of indigenous cultures. Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark also gained particular recognition for presenting its achievements in education, scientific activities and community engagement.

One of the most significant outcomes of the event for Iran was the election of Dr Alireza Amrikazemi as the first Iranian representative to the Executive Board of the Global Geoparks Network. This appointment marks Iran's presence at the highest level of policy-making and governance within the global geopark community.