UNESCO is the only United Nations organization with a mandate to support research and capacity building in geology and geophysics, and the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) is our flagship with its two pillars: the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) and UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp).

IGGP functions to serve as a knowledge hub of UNESCO to facilitate international scientific cooperation in the geosciences and sustainable use of natural resources, and to advance new initiatives related to geo-diversity and geo-heritage as well as geohazards risk mitigation.

The IGCP is the oldest and most successful example of scientific cooperation between a non-governmental organization – the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) – and an intergovernmental organization – UNESCO.

Over the past 45 years, for thousands of scientists who participated in IGCP projects the Programme has been the gateway to a successful career in and beyond geoscience. IGCP has also been responsible for some major geoscientific programmes of ground-breaking international standards.
In 2015, the 38th general Conference of UNESCO endorsed the creation of the new UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) designation-areas where we celebrate our Earth heritage to promote the sustainable economic development of local communities while demonstrating geological heritage of international significance.

The IGGP, with its two pillar, IGCP and UNESCO Global Geoparks, aims to enable UNESCO Member States to use the UNESCO-designated sites as learning sites for inclusive and comprehensive approaches to environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainable development. IGCP’ five main themes provide an opportunity for geoscientists in the understanding of the transformation of nature within the territories of the UNESCO Global Geoparks: Earth Resources (sustaining our society), Global Change (evidence from the geological record), Geohazards (mitigating the risks), Hydrogeology (geoscience of the water cycle), and Geodynamics (control of our environment).

By offering young scientists from developing countries the opportunity to participate in IGCP projects and field trips organized by leading academic bodies, within the territories of UNESCO Global Geoparks, IGCP aims to foster and increase:

• global distribution of project areas, participants and leaders, • participation and leadership by women and young scientists, • interdisciplinary proposals, approaches and techniques.

We would like to bring together the participants of the IGGP during EGU General assembly to share their experiences working under UNESCO umbrella and learn from their experiences.