Key Geoheritage Areas: Advancing the recognition of our planet’s geodiversity
In October 2025, IUCN Members adopted a landmark resolution to set up a new global framework designed to identify, document, and promote the conservation of the world’s most significant geological features: Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs). This resolution reflects a growing understanding that Earth’s non-living systems – rocks, minerals, fossils, landforms, sediments and soils, together with the natural processes that form and modify them – are fundamental components of nature that support biodiversity, underpin cultural values, and sustain human well‑being.
Context
The KGA initiative was developed following the adoption of Resolution 074 by the IUCN membership at its 2020 General Assembly. ProGEO and its partners then collaborated in the development of a 2025 KGA scoping study with the IUCN WCPA Geoheritage Specialist Group, and following extensive public consultation. At the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, IUCN Members adopted Resolution 124, requesting IUCN to start implementing the KGA initiative.
Why do we need Key Geoheritage Areas?
Geodiversity is only recently starting to be recognized, for example in IUCN’s 20-year vision. Many geoheritage sites are at risk from development, vandalism, overtourism, or illegal trade because of a lack of awareness, or protection.
Not only do KGAs provide a comprehensive framework to identify the most special geodiverse areas raising awareness and stimulating protection measures, they further promote the contribution of geoheritage to the SDG’s in a similar way as Key Biodiversity Areas do for biological diversity.
Next steps
The KGA initiative complements existing global framework, including World Heritage, UNESCO Global Geoparks, and Key Biodiversity Areas, by providing a unified approach for recognizing Earth’s most important geological features. By shining a light on these irreplaceable places, IUCN aims to foster better stewardship of the planet’s non-living heritage and ensure that geodiversity is fully reflected in integrated nature conservation strategies worldwide. The IUCN WCPA Geoheritage Specialist Group is currently rolling out the KGA initiative. Interested partners are invited to reach out the GSG leadership.