Persian Gulf Qeshm Island becomes UNESCO Global Geopark

Iran’s Qeshm Island has been enlisted as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

The decision to include Qeshm Island on the list was made during the 201st session of the Executive Board of UNESCO in Paris.

During the session, seven other sites from China, France, Republic of Korea, Mexico, China and Spain were recognized as UNESCO Global Geoparks.

The website of UNESCO states that “UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.”

The sites are nominated by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council which is comprised of 12 ordinary members, who  are  individuals appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO on the recommendation of the Global Geoparks Network and Member States, with the right to vote.

The Director-General of UNESCO, the President of the Global Geoparks Network, the Secretary-General of the International Union of Geological Sciences, the Director-General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature or their representatives are ex officio members of the Council without the right to vote.

Iran’s dolphin shaped Qeshm Island is the largest island of the Persian Gulf and is located south of the Hormuz Strait.

The enlisting of Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark is valid until 2020 and the site will then be reevaluated and revalidated by the Council.

HY/HY