IUCN welcomes foundational work to advance the Key Geoheritage Areas Initiative, backed by major commitment from Korea

At the symposium “K-Geoheritage: Current Status and Future Perspectives,” international experts and government representatives adopted the KGA Korea Declaration, laying the foundation for global cooperation, and finetuned the guidelines to select geoheritage sites of global significance. The symposium was chaired by Dr. Huh Min, Administrator of the Korea Heritage Service and an internationally recognized geologist. There was also an opportunity to learn first-hand from geoconservation good practices from the Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark.

A new global frontier in nature conservation

While conservation efforts have traditionally focused on biodiversity, ecosystems and species, the KGA initiative recognizes that Earth’s geodiversity— including rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, landforms and landscapes— is equally fundamental to nature conservation.

At the 2025 World Conservation Congress, IUCN Members adopted resolution 8.124, calling for the identification, protection and promotion of KGAs. The IUCN Secretariat, IUCN Members and the WCPA GSG are currently preparing for the launch of the KGA Partnership later in 2026, as well as the first call for nominations. 

“The KGA initiative is not just about listing important geological sites. It is about ensuring that the most significant stages and processes of Earth’s history are represented, understood, and safeguarded for the future”, said Prof José Brilha, Co-Chair of the IUCN WCPA Geoheritage Specialist Group. 

“KGA comes at a critical moment, as the need to safeguard geoheritage and the full diversity of nature—both living and non-living—has never been greater. The Korea Declaration strengthens this vision and reinforces the vital role of geoconservation as an integral part of global nature conservation”, said Dr. Manu Monge Ganuzas, Executive Secretary, ProGEO

Korea steps forward with decisive leadership

The Republic of Korea is playing a pivotal role in bringing the KGA initiative to life. The Korea Heritage Service was the only IUCN State Member to co-sponsor Motion 125 at the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, which was eventually adopted as Resolution 8.124 with major support across all IUCN Members. 

“We consider the formal advancement of the KGA programme by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to represent a significant turning point in broadening the scope of nature conservation to fully encompass geoheritage”, said Dr. HUH Min, Administrator, Korea Heritage Service 

The K-Geoheritage Symposium was organized in preparation for the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, chaired and hosted by the Republic of Korea. The KGA Initiative is expected to help fill critical gaps in natural heritage protection, since natural heritage is still underrepresented on the UNESCO World Heritage List and almost 40% of countries do not have any natural World Heritage sites. As the official advisor for nature under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, IUCN can help countries consider geoheritage which may of potential Outstanding Universal Value. 

A growing global alliance

Following the leadership support of Korea, IUCN invites other partners to step forward and join this new global initiative, including IUCN Members, government agencies, major NGOs, foundations and geoscience companies. 

“This initiative represents a decisive step toward a more complete vision of nature conservation. By recognising geoheritage as an essential component of our shared natural heritage, we are closing a long-standing gap in global conservation policy and practice”, said Tim Badman, Director, Protected, Conserved and Heritage Areas Team, IUCN 

About natural heritage in Korea

Natural World Heritage sites in the Republic of Korean include Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, with the world’s finest lava tube system of caves. Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats, while recognized as World Heritage for its biodiversity values, also displays geoheritage values, through the complex combination of geological, oceanographic and climatologic conditions that have led to the development of coastal diverse sedimentary systems. The Republic of Korea further hosts seven UNESCO Global Geoparks, including the Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark known for geological sites such as Giam Cliff and the Incised Meander at Banghojeong. 

© IUCN / Robbert Casier

The Banghojeong pavilion in the Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark.

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