✅ The First Meeting of the National Committee on Earth Sciences and Geoparks of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO Held in Iran
🔹 During this meeting, the Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO outlined the objectives and missions of the committee, emphasizing the role of Earth sciences and UNESCO’s international capacities in protecting geological heritage and developing the country’s geoparks. Subsequently, the Secretary of the Committee presented a report on the committee’s formation process, structure, responsibilities, and future programs.
🔹 In continuation, Dr. Seyed Mahmoud Fatemi-Aghda, Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade and Head of the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Iran (GSI), stressed the necessity of strengthening coordination among responsible organizations for the development of Iran’s geoparks. He also announced plans to resume the meetings of the National Geopark Working Group in order to accelerate the development process and establishment of geoparks across the country.
🔹 The legal members present at the meeting included representatives from the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Iran, the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, the Ministry of Petroleum, the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), the Road, Housing and Urban Development Research Center, and the Academy of Sciences. In addition, individual members consisting of university professors, leading Earth science experts, and geopark specialists also attended the meeting.
🔹 In another part of the meeting, the election of the committee’s executive board was held. Dr. Seyed Mahmoud Fatemi-Aghda was elected as the Chair of the National Committee on Earth Sciences and Geoparks of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO by a majority vote. Dr. Alireza Amri Kazemi, a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, was also elected as Vice-Chair of the committee by the members’ vote.
🔹 At the conclusion of the meeting, official appointments were presented to the individual members of the committee. The participants emphasized expanding cooperation among executive organizations, scientific and research institutions, and specialized bodies with the aim of protecting geological heritage, developing the country’s geoparks, enhancing education and research in Earth sciences, and making greater use of UNESCO’s international capacities.
🔹 It is worth noting that Dr. Vesal Yahya Sheibani, President of Tabas Global Geopark and faculty member of the university, is also among the individual members of the National Committee on Earth Sciences and Geoparks of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO.
Source: Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Iran
🔸 Public Relations Office of Tabas Global Geopark
