The participation of Lesvos Geopark in the National Meeting and the Technical Conference of the International Programme of UNESCO World Geoparks organized by the Greek National Commission for UNESCO at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday 30 January 2025 was very positive.

The meeting was attended by the President of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, Mrs. Aikaterini Tzitzikosta, the Vice-Regional Governors of Attica Mrs. R. Moraitaki and Ionian Islands Mr. S. Ioannou, the Mayors of West Lesvos Mr. T. Verros, Mytilene Mr. P. Christofas, Anogia Mr. Sok. Kefalogiannis, Lavreotiki Mr. D. Loukas, Meteora Mr. L. Avramopoulos, Pyli Mr. K. Maravas, Representatives of the Representative of the Regional Governor of Thessaly Mr. Ath. Tsioras, Deputy Mayors of the Municipalities of Sitia, Kozani, Grevena, Descati, Pyli as well as the Coordinators and representatives of the 9 Greek World Geoparks UNESCO.

The Mayor of West Lesvos Mr. Taxiarchis Verros and the Mayor of Mytilene Mr. Panagiotis Christofas, during their intervention, referred to the actions implemented by the Municipality of West Lesvos and the Municipality of Mytilene in cooperation with the Natural History Museum of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos for the promotion of our natural heritage and sustainable development in the Geopark of Lesvos.

The main speaker of the meeting was Professor Nikolaos Zouros, President of the World Geoparks Network, who referred to the objectives and results of the UNESCO World Geoparks Programme, the participation of Greece, the actions for the promotion of natural heritage, tourism and sustainable development and the prospects for the future. He also referred to the obligations arising from the recognition.

The Natural History Museum, the operating institution of the Lesvos Geopark, was represented at the meeting by Mr. H. Valiakos, Head of the Research and Projects Department and Ms. K. Bentana, Head of the Exhibitions and Educational Programmes Department.

The National Meeting was followed by a Technical Meeting of the Representatives of the Greek UNESCO World Geoparks, during which issues of cooperation between the Greek National Committee and the Greek UNESCO World Geoparks were discussed, in the context of the implementation of the provisions and obligations arising from the Statutes and the Operational Regulations of the UNESCO World Geoparks International Programme.

As a result of the meeting, the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO committed to support the requests for the strengthening of Geoparks to the competent Ministries of Environment, Culture and Tourism with special meetings.