Algarvensis Geopark completes final mission and awaits final decision

During five intense days, the two international evaluators appointed by UNESCO, Kristin Rangnes (Geopark Gea Norvegica, Norway) and Christophe Lansigu (Geopark Massif des Bauges, France), traveled the territory surrounding the three founding municipalities, Loulé, Silves and Albufeira, visiting geological sites, especially the six of international relevance, educational and scientific projects, museums, Info Centers, community experiences, cultural initiatives, geoconservation interventions and the numerous local partners that make up the Algarvensis Geopark partnership network.

The mission involved more than 30 strategic stops and mobilized hundreds of people, from municipal technicians to teachers, students, fishermen, artisans, researchers, tour guides, businesspeople, representatives of parish councils, cultural, social and environmental associations, and many other citizens who demonstrated, with pride and genuine involvement, the value of the Algarve region.

The final technical meeting took place on July 9th at the Algarvensis Geopark Association in Loulé. At this meeting, the evaluators shared their overall impressions and formally concluded the mission, praising the rich heritage, the diversity of ongoing projects, and, above all, the community's involvement.

From this moment on, the evaluators will write a detailed technical report on the mission carried out, to be submitted to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, which will meet during the 11th International Geoparks Conference, to be held between September 8 and 14, 2025, in Temuco, Chile.

It will be precisely on September 10, 2025, that the result of the Algarvensis Geopark application will be announced in an official ceremony.

However, even if the Council's opinion is favorable, the process still requires final ratification by UNESCO Member States during the UNESCO Executive Board meeting scheduled for spring 2026 in Paris.

The Algarvensis Geopark application represents a joint and coordinated effort by the three founding municipalities, scientific and educational institutions, civil society and local communities.

Throughout this mission, it was clear how the territory took ownership of the process and collectively built a vision of the future based on UNESCO values and the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).

The Algarvensis Geopark Association "thanks, with deep gratitude, all those who participated in this mission and invites residents, local communities and visitors to remain involved in this collective process."