Message from Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, for the International Geodiversity Day
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay Speech from International Day of Geodiversity
6 October 6, 2022
2022International Day of Geodiversity
Geodiversity is the part of nature that is not alive – miner, fossils, soils, mountains – as well as the geoological processes that shape these features. It is the silent partner to biodiversity, helping us to understand the complex connections between the living and nonliving worlds.
geological diversity is composed of abiotic parts in nature, such as minerals, fossils, soils, mountains, and geological processes that create these morphology. It is the silent partner of biodiversity , helping us understand the intricate connections between the biological and abiotic worlds.
As such, geodiversity underpins food production, water management and energy production. It is also central to the ‘green’ transition: when used wisely, mineral resources can create wealth and jobs while decarbonizing development, all prerequisites for a sustainable future.
In this regard, geological diversity can be regarded as the basis for food production, water management and energy production, and is equally critical to achieving a “green” transformation: when used properly, mineral resources can create wealth and jobs while decarbonizing development, all of which are prerequisites toward a sustainable future.
Understanding geological processes is therefore essential to explore the past, enjoy the present and prepare for an unpredictable future. Geodiversity can teach us about the impact of climate change at different periods of the Earth’s history, as well as cataclysmic events like the asteroid strike that led to the demise of dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
Therefore, understanding geological processes is essential to explore the past, enjoy the present and prepare for an unpredictable future. Geological diversity can help us understand the impact of climate change in different periods of Earth's history, as well as catastrophic events such as the asteroid impact that caused the dinosaurs to extinction 65 million years ago.
This is why UNESCO is dedicated to promoting and protecting the diversity of our geoological heritage – through the unique landscapes in our 177 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 46 countries, but also our many Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage Sites. These UNESCO protected areas now cover 6% of the Earth’s surface.
It is also because of this that UNESCO is committed to promoting and protecting the diversity of our geological heritage through the unique landscape of 177 UNESCO World Geoparks in 46 countries, as well as our numerous biosphere reserves and world heritage sites. Currently, these UNESCO protected areas cover 6% of the planet.
As the only United Nations body with a mandate for the Earth sciences, UNESCO has spent the past 50 years fostering international cooperation to encourage better – and more equitable – use of the planet’s mineral resources, through its International Geoscience Programme.
As the only United Nations body with a mandate for the Earth sciences, UNESCO has spent the past 50 years fostering international cooperation to encourage better – and more equitable – use of the planet’s mineral resources, through its International Geoscience Programme.
As the only United Nations body with a mandate for the Earth sciences, UNESCO has spent the past 50 years fostering international cooperation to encourage better – and more equitable – use of the planet’s mineral resources, through its International Geoscience Programme.
As the only United Nations body with a mandate for the Earth sciences, UNESCO has spent the past 50 years fostering international cooperation to encourage better – and more equitable – use of the planet’s mineral resources, through its International Geoscience Programme.
As the only United Nations body with a mandate for the Earth sciences, UNESCO has spent the past 50 years fostering international cooperation to encourage better – and more equitable – use of the planet’s mineral resources, through its International Geoscience Programme.
As the only United Nations body with a mandate for the Earth sciences, UNESCO has spent the past 50 years fostering international cooperation to encourage better – and more equitable – use of the planet’s mineral resources, through its International Geoscience Programme.
As the only United Nations body with a mandate for the Earth sciences, UNESCO has spent the
This year, the Geoscience Programme is supporting over 60 collaborative projects, with 379 project leaders across 92 countries. Sixty-one project leaders are from 23 African countries, and 42% of project leaders are women – for more accessible and inclusive science worldwide.
This year, the Geoscience Programme is supporting over 60 collaborative projects, with 379 project leaders across 92 countries. Sixty-one project leaders are from 23 African countries, and 42% of project leaders are women – for more accessible and inclusive science worldwide.
This year, the Geoscience Programme is supporting over 60 collaborative projects, with 379 project leaders across 92 countries. Sixty-one project leaders are from 23 African countries, and 42% of project leaders are women – for more accessible and inclusive science worldwide.
This year, the Geoscience Programme is supporting over 60 collaborative projects, with 379 project leaders across 92 countries. Sixty-one project leaders are from 23 African countries, and 42% of project leaders are women – for more accessible and inclusive science worldwide.
This year, the Geoscience Programme is supporting over 60 collaborative projects, with 379 project leaders across 92 countries. Sixty-one project leaders are from 23 African countries, and 42% of project leaders are women – for more accessible and inclusive science worldwide.
This year, the Geoscience Programme is supporting over 60 collaborative projects, with 379 project leaders across 92 countries. Sixty-one project leaders are from 23 African countries, and 42% of project leaders are women – for more accessible and inclusive science worldwide.
Among them, 61 project leaders are from 23 African countries, and 42% are women - promoting enhanced accessibility and inclusion of science around the world.
Now UNESCO is stepping up these efforts, with the celebration of International Geodiversity Day every year on 6 October. In line with the decision taken by our 193 Member States at our 2021 General Conference, this new event will celebrate the close relationship between biodiversity, geodiversity, culture and history, raising awareness of “nature’s” stage”.
Currently, UNESCO is strengthening these efforts, including the celebration of the International Day of Geological Diversity on October 6 each year. Based on the decisions made by our 193 Member States at the 2021 General Assembly, this new activity will highlight the close relationship between biodiversity, geological diversity, culture and history, and raise awareness of the "natural stage".
Indeed, geodiversity plays a fundamental role in human well-being, sustainability and the preservation of world heritage, issues affecting the whole planet. On this International Day, UNESCO calls on the international community to galvanize the potential of geologic sciences – and view familiar landscapes through fresh eyes.
Indeed, geodiversity plays a fundamental role in human well-being, sustainability and the preservation of world heritage, issues affecting the whole planet. On this International Day, UNESCO calls on the international community to galvanize the potential of geologic sciences – and view familiar landscapes through fresh eyes.
Indeed, geodiversity plays a fundamental role in human well-being, sustainability and the preservation of world heritage, issues affecting the whole planet. On this International Day, UNESCO calls on the international community to galvanize the potential of geologic sciences – and view familiar landscapes through fresh eyes.
Indeed, geodiversity plays a fundamental role in human well-being, sustainability and the preservation of world heritage, issues affecting the whole planet. On this International Day, UNESCO calls on the international community to galvanize the potential of geologic sciences – and view familiar landscapes through fresh eyes.
Indeed, geodiversity plays a fundamental role in human well-being, sustainability and the preservation of world heritage, issues affecting the whole planet. On this International Day, UNESCO calls on the international community to galvanize the potential of geologic sciences – and view familiar landscapes through fresh eyes.
Indeed, geodiversity plays a fundamental role in human well-being, sustainability and the preservation of world heritage, issues affecting the whole planet. On this International Day, UNESCO calls on the international community to galvanize the potential of geologic sciences – and view familiar landscapes through fresh eyes.
On this international day, UNESCO calls on the international community to stimulate the potential of geological science and examine familiar landscapes with a new perspective.
