With the participation of 70 scientists from 35 countries, the Annual Meeting of the Global Geoparks Network was held at the University of the Aegean on the island of Lesvos, hosted by Professor Nikolaos Zouros, Secretary General of the Global Geoparks Network and Head of the UNESCO Chair on Geoparks and the Sustainable Development of Island and Coastal Areas at the University of the Aegean. The meeting was attended, among others, by President Professor Artur Sá and members of the 15-member Executive Committee of the Global Geoparks Network, as well as President Professor Setsuya Nakada and members of the 12-member Council of UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Programme.

(Cover Photo: https://www.lesvosgeopark.gr/en/lesvos-geopark/)

The Global Geoparks Network is an international organization based in France and an official partner of UNESCO for the implementation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme. It currently includes 241 geoparks in 51 countries as members.

During the meeting, important issues concerning international networking and cooperation among geoparks were discussed, including the sustainable management and conservation of geological heritage sites; funding opportunities and jointly funded projects; actions for the protection of geoheritage monuments from climate change and natural hazards; collaborative initiatives to promote geoparks as sustainable tourism destinations and participation in international tourism exhibitions; strategic cooperation with the European Union; and initiatives to support the development of geoparks in Africa and in regions not yet represented within the Global Geoparks Network. Moreover, the organization of an International Training Course for Geopark Managers in Lesvos will contribute to promoting the island internationally, while also creating opportunities for these issues to become the focus of scientific activity in the Aegean region, with significant development prospects.

Greece’s 10 recognized UNESCO Global Geoparks are: Lesvos Island, Psiloritis, Vikos–Aoos National Park, Helmos–Vouraikos National Park, Sitia, Grevena–Kozani, Lavreotiki, Meteora–Pyli, and Kefalonia–Ithaca, Nisyros Island. (https://www.visitgreece.gr/inspirations/geoparks-in-greece/)

Parallel to the meeting, the Global Geoparks Network and UNESCO are organizing the International Training Course for UNESCO Global Geoparks Managers, in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair on Geoparks and Sustainable Development of Island and Coastal Areas at the Department of Geography of the University of the Aegean and the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest.

The 2026 International Training Course for UNESCO Global Geoparks Managers, entitled “UNESCO Global Geoparks: Geoconservation, Sustainable Tourism and Local Development,” takes place from 16 to 25 May 2026 at the University of the Aegean and includes field visits to significant geological heritage sites on Lesvos.

The International Training Course for UNESCO Global Geoparks Managers is the flagship capacity-building activity of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme and is held this year for the 14^th consecutive time in Lesvos with in-person participation.

More than 80 participants are taking part in the course, including geopark managers, tourism officials, local government representatives, university professors, doctoral candidates, and representatives of scientific organizations collaborating with geoparks and developing or implementing innovative actions for the protection, management, and promotion of geological heritage. Participants come from 27 countries: Belgium, Vietnam, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Japan, Indonesia, Ireland, Iran, Spain, Italy, China, Kyrgyzstan, Cyprus, Malaysia, Morocco, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Romania, the Czech Republic, Thailand, Türkiye, and Greece.

In parallel with the lectures, educational field visits will be organized across Lesvos, aiming to familiarize participants with the island’s natural environment, geological monuments, habitats, archaeological sites, museums, monasteries, traditional settlements, women’s agritourism cooperatives, and local products.

Lesvos has an impressive hydrographic network due to the climatic conditions, rainfall, geological formations and active tectonics. Thus Lesvos hosts impressive gorges, valleys and waterfalls which are scattered throughout the island. They are sites of aesthetic value but also important ecological hot spots. Along the riverbeds appear steep waterfalls which are usually associated with the presence of active faults.  Impressive waterfalls appear such as: the Man’ katsa formed in the ignimbrite rocks close to Mandamados. (https://welcometolesvos.com/lesvos-geopark/)

The Petrified Forest of Lesvos is a rare petrified forest ecosystem made up of large concentrations of fossilized trees and animals which were covered by volcanic material and petrified in place 18 million years ago. The area of the Petrified Forest is characterized by impressive volcanic geosites, witnesses of the intense volcanic activity during Miocene. Lesvos island for this reason could be characterized as a window on the geohistoric development of the Aegean over the last 20 million years and is considered one of the most beautiful and rare monuments of geological heritage in the world. (https://welcometolesvos.com/lesvos-geopark/)

Not far beneath the surface of Lesvos there are still large concentrations of hot magma, which act as vast heaters, warming water which penetrate the crust to a considerable depth. When it approaches the magma chamber, the meteoric water is heated and comes up through the surface of the Earth via thermal springs. The most important thermal springs on Lesvos are at Polichnitos, Lisvori, Thermi, Therma at Geras gulf, Eftalou and Argenos. (https://welcometolesvos.com/lesvos-geopark/)

(Source: https://www.ertnews.gr/perifereiakoi-stathmoi/voreio_aigaio/i-lesvos-sto-epikentro-tou-pagkosmiou-diktyou-geoparkon-tis-ounesko/)

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Greece’s UNESCO Global Geoparks

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On February 9, a major cultural, literary, and musical event was held with outstanding success in a packed central hall at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The event was organized by the Permanent Delegation of Greece to UNESCO, under the Permanent Delegate, Georgios Koumoutsakos (cover photo), to mark the first celebration of the proclamation of February 9 as “World Greek Language Day,” following the ratification of the historic decision by UNESCO’s General Conference last November. This event was the most prominent among those organized abroad by our country’s diplomatic authorities to celebrate February 9.

A recorded message by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, was screened at the event (upper photo). Introductory remarks were delivered by the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, the Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany (lower right photo), and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador of Greece for the Protection and Promotion of Culture, Kostantza Sbokou-Konstantakopoulou. The keynote address was delivered by the President of the National Library of France, Gilles Pécout (lower left photo). All speakers emphasized the distinguished contribution of the Greek language to the development of human civilization over 3,000 years, its uninterrupted continuity to the present day, and its immense universal value.

In the literary part of the event, excerpts from emblematic texts and poems of Greek literature, spanning from antiquity to the modern era (the Hippocratic Oath, Anna Komnene’s Alexiad, the Apostle Paul, Seferis, Cavafy, Elytis, Ritsos), were read and recited by the distinguished Greek actors Grigoris Valtinos and Panagiota Vlanti. The musical segment featured the Greek tenor Marios Frangoulis and the Franco-Greek performer Dafné Kritharas, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Corfu Music School and the Corfu Conservatory.

Although the central hall at UNESCO Headquarters, with a seating capacity of 1,400, was the venue of the event, attendance reached 1,700 people. Among those honoring the event with their presence were a representative of the President of the French National Assembly, French Members of Parliament and Members of the French Senate, the Greek film director Costa-Gavras, dozens of Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives, hundreds of officials from the Permanent Delegations of UNESCO Member States, diplomats, French academics, members of the Greek Community of Paris, prominent representatives of the Greek and French business communities, Greek students at French universities, and others.

On February 9, the archaeological exhibition entitled “The Greek Language Was Given to Me” organized by the Ministry of Culture, was inaugurated by the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni (upper right photo), in the “Salle des Actes” of UNESCO Headquarters (the title of the exhibition comes from the poem Axion Esti, first published in 1959, by the Greek Nobel laureate poet Odysseas Elytis). The exhibition (upper left photo) illustrates the uninterrupted course of the Greek language and writing throughout its long history, through selected texts, visual material, and replicas of ancient works. The Minister of Culture delivered the keynote address jointly with UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, Ernesto Ottone. The exhibition will run until February 13.

(Photos: Ari Bafalouka)

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially inscribed six Minoan Palatial Centres on Crete into its prestigious World Heritage List. This significant recognition, announced during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, marks an important achievement for Greece and acknowledges the profound global importance of these ancient centers.

The newly recognized sites are Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos, and Kydonia. These locations represent the zenith of the Minoan civilization, one of Europe's earliest advanced societies, which flourished between approximately 2800 and 1100 BCE. Knossos, in particular, was the most important city of Minoan Crete, continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period until the 5th century BC, reaching its peak from the 17th to the 15th century BC as a powerful political, economic, and artistic hub.

Unpacking Their Outstanding Universal Value

The Minoan palaces were recognized for their outstanding universal value, authenticity, and integrity, along with the robust protective frameworks in place. They are considered the most representative expression of the thriving Minoan society and culture. These architectural marvels served not only as administrative and economic centers but also as crucial religious and artistic hubs.

Key elements contributing to their inscription include:

• High Monumental Architecture: The palaces are creations of high monumental architecture, with complex architectural forms influenced by Egypt and the Near East, uniquely developed on Crete to serve the diverse needs of a hierarchical society. The legendary Labyrinth, designed for King Minos, symbolizes the structural complexity and monumentality of these palaces.

• Early Urban Development and Sociopolitical Structures: They offer evidence of early urban development and reveal complex sociopolitical structures organized around a hierarchical administrative system.

• Pioneering Writing Systems: The sites provide invaluable documentation for Europe's two oldest writing systems: Cretan Hieroglyphic and Linear A, both devised in Crete at the beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE.

• Economic and Cultural Exchange: The palaces offer material evidence of advanced early economic systems, including agriculture, animal husbandry, and extensive maritime trade across the Eastern Mediterranean. Minoan art, with its naturalistic characteristics, has influenced artistic creation worldwide across various fields such as philosophy, painting, literature, music, poetry, theatre, and cinema.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni emphasized that these palaces were "not just administrative hubs—they were centers of art, innovation, and early writing systems," and their recognition "affirms their global significance". Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis further highlighted that this recognition affirms the Minoan civilization, "one of the most brilliant of the prehistoric Aegean," as a "root of European thought and aesthetics".

A Long and Arduous Journey to Recognition

The path to UNESCO inscription was a lengthy and dedicated collective effort, spanning many years. A previous attempt in 2003 to nominate only the palace of Knossos was abandoned due to significant issues in its surrounding environment. In 2014, five of the palaces (excluding Zominthos) were included as a "serial inscription" on Greece's national indicative list, a mandatory preparatory stage. The comprehensive nomination dossier for UNESCO was assembled in 2018, overcoming "administrative arrhythmias" that were corrected by 2020, at which point the thoroughly studied Zominthos was also integrated into the candidacy.

The final dossier, exceeding 600 pages, had to meticulously document the universal significance and authenticity of the six sites, as well as their protection framework. Submitted in September 2024 and finalized in January 2025, it adopted a holistic approach, satisfying UNESCO's requirements for promoting archaeological sites and protecting them from climate change. This included an "integrated spatial investment" strategy and a detailed management plan.

The successful inscription is the result of coordinated efforts led by the Greek Culture Ministry, in collaboration with the Region of Crete, local and foreign archaeological teams, academic institutions like the University of Athens, and multiple state bodies, including the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Permanent Representative of Greece to UNESCO, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, gratefully acknowledged the "collective, not individual effort" and the "impeccable cooperation of all" involved.

The vote at the 47th session was unanimous, a rare occurrence that greatly impressed UNESCO's leadership, including Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

The Implications: Protection, Visibility, and Responsibility

This UNESCO designation brings a multitude of benefits for the Minoan palaces:

• Enhanced International Visibility: The sites will gain significant international exposure, placing Crete's Minoan legacy firmly on the world map.

• Increased Tourism: The recognition is expected to boost visitor numbers, contributing to Crete's global cultural role. Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni called this a "moment of vindication for our culture and our national pride" and noted Knossos is "a reference point for the tourist identity of our country". She further highlighted culture as a high-value tourist resource, central to Greece's strategy for sustainable and quality tourism.

• Greater Protection: The inscription ensures stronger protection for these invaluable sites.

However, this recognition also entails significant responsibilities for Greece. As Minister Mendoni explained, UNESCO bestows its "brand," but it also places a binding obligation on the member state to implement the commitments made in the nomination dossier. This includes addressing existing issues, such as unauthorized constructions around Knossos, which the state is now obliged to limit or demolish. Ongoing projects to improve accessibility and external areas, like interventions at Knossos' reception areas, flood protection at Malia, and studies for Phaistos and Kydonia, underscore these commitments.

Crete Regional Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis called the inscription a "turning point" for the island, crowning years of systematic work and elevating its global cultural role beyond preservation, boosting education, tourism, and Crete's international image.

Looking ahead, Greece has set its sights on its next UNESCO targets, with a joint proposal for Mount Olympus (as both a natural and cultural asset) submitted for evaluation at the 48th UNESCO session, followed by the candidacy for Ancient Nicopolis.

The inclusion of the Minoan Palaces on the UNESCO World Heritage List is akin to a precious, ancient manuscript finally being housed in a universal library. It not only safeguards these invaluable chapters of human history for future generations but also opens them up to a global audience, allowing the wisdom, art, and societal structures of an ancient civilization to inspire and inform the modern world.

I.L., with information from APE-MPA, Greek Tourism Pages and Kathimerini.

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Greece has begun its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council on January 1^st 2025. On December 6, the 79th Plenary Session of the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the Resolution on “Return or Restitution of Cultural Property to the Countries of Origin” spearheaded by Greece, with 146 co-sponsorships. This represents the highest number achieved to date and was the first occasion on which all 27 EU Member States, co-sponsored the resolution. highlighting EU unity on such a sensitive political issue.

“It is of the utmost importance for us all to recognize that the protection of human life will always remain our primary concern, but that respect for a people’s cultural identity is also vital. While human life is of greater importance than objects, it is nevertheless necessary to respect the rules for the protection of cultural property, as it is the collective memory of humanity and symbolizes human life itself,” explained Ambassador Evangelos C. Sekeris, the Permanent Representative to the United Nations addressing the Assembly.

The resolution aims at achieving interstate cooperation in protecting cultural property against illicit trafficking in times of peace and war, as well as establishing a common framework of respect for tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Practically speaking, member states will be required to ensure documented proof of origin and provide certificates for cultural goods traded internationally, including those traded online. 

Throughout the years, the UN and UNESCO in particular have played a pivotal role in combating illicit trafficking and promoting the return of cultural property. This is being done through initiatives such as the 1970 UNESCO Convention (on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property) and partnerships with INTERPOL and other organizations.

Going one step further, the newly adopted Resolution expresses serious concern about cultural property removed before the 1970 Convention and calls for its return.  It also encourages the return and restitution of stolen and illegally possessed cultural property to their historic environment.

This Greek initiative is a remarkable diplomatic success given the fact that Resolutions tabled by only one country are rarely adopted by such a large number of co-sponsors. The cross-regional support of the Resolution, with a wide and diverse group of co-sponsoring member states, illustrates the change in attitude on the issue of the return or restitution of cultural property and the high visibility this has gained in recent years.  It is also a very promising beginning for Greece’s tenure as a non-permanent in the Security Council, starting January 2025. 

Protection of world cultural heritage and the Restitution of the Parthenon Sculptures

Recently, Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni addressed the International Symposium titled "Old and New Threats to Global Cultural Heritage: The Role of Prevention," (16.12.2024) organized by the Ministry of Culture to mark the 70th anniversary of the Hague Convention (1954) and the 25th anniversary of its Second Protocol (1999). The event, hosted at the War Museum of Athens, highlighted the significance of international collaboration in safeguarding cultural heritage from evolving threats.  Minister Mendoni emphasized that cultural heritage protection is a top priority for Greece, both tangible and intangible, regardless of its geographic location or historical depth. She underlined Greece’s successful efforts in repatriating illegally exported artifacts, achieved through a coherent policy and the use of institutional tools. Mendoni reiterated that new and complex threats to heritage transcend borders and often occur even in times of peace, making international cooperation vital for effective prevention.  

A meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (3.12.2025) has reignited discussions in the UK media about the potential return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece. Greek officials emphasize that the Sculptures were taken unlawfully and are integral to Greece’s heritage, pushing for their permanent return.

The sculptures are part of a 2,500-year-old frieze that was taken from the Acropolis in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin and put on display in the British Museum. Athens says they were removed illegally and wants them returned so they can be displayed alongside the rest of the Parthenon Sculptures at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

The British Museum is banned by law from giving the sculptures back to Greece, but extensive talks have been held on a long-term loan arrangement. According to sources quoted by British news publication the Guardian, “It is envisaged that any agreement will be underpinned by a cultural partnership between the two countries, with the sculptures returned to Athens and reunited with other pieces currently on display at the Parthenon galleries of the Acropolis Museum – in exchange for blockbuster art works that will take centre stage in rolling exhibitions in London.”  Public opinion in the UK appears to favor the  return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece, a, with a YouGov poll showing 53% support for their return.

I.L. with information from News and Documentation Bulletin, Department of Analysis and Research, Directorate E2 of International Communication, Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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