Ethiopia and UNESCO promote geotourism to boost regional development

The Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) this week to explore geotourism as a driver of sustainable development across Eastern Africa. This is reported by ENA, a partner of TV BRICS. 

The organisations convened a workshop in Addis Ababa entitled “The Role of UNESCO Global Geoparks and Geotourism for Sustainable Development”. The event brought together government ministers, UNESCO officials, regional representatives, as well as tourism and heritage experts throughout the region.

Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa opened the forum by emphasising Ethiopia’s unparalleled cultural and natural heritage. Showcasing Ethiopia’s 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, six entries on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and five biosphere reserves, the minister highlighted her government’s commitment to leveraging geoheritage for local economic growth and job creation.

Selamawit stressed Ethiopia’s significance as the “Cradle of Humankind,” home to fossil sites that have reshaped our understanding of human evolution. She announced that several of these sites are being evaluated for designation as UNESCO Global Geoparks–an initiative expected to energize local economies, promote heritage education, and foster environmental stewardship. 

Rita Bissonnette, Head of UNESCO’s Liaison Office to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, pointed out that Africa hosts only two of the 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks – one in Morocco and one in Tanzania. “UNESCO Global Geoparks are much more than nature reserves. They are living laboratories and innovation hubs where nature, culture, science, and community intersect," Bissonnette added.

Participants acknowledged that Eastern Africa’s rich geology holds immense untapped tourism potential. They concluded the workshop with a call for strengthened collaboration among governments, UNESCO, scientists, and local communities to establish new geoparks and integrate geotourism into broader strategies for climate resilience, cultural promotion, and inclusive growth.

UNESCO is stressing the importance of geoparks in other BRICS countries as well. Previously, UNESCO included two Indonesian sites in the Global Geoparks Network, as reported by Vietnam News Agency (VNA), a partner of TV BRICS. This acknowledgement further highlights the nation’s geological, ecological, as well as cultural variety and a strong dedication to safeguarding geological heritage. 

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