International Conference on KGA Conservation Program Strategy
We are thrilled to share a major milestone in global geoconservation! In Busan, South Korea, an international symposium titled “International Conference on KGA Conservation Program Strategy (K-Geoheritage: Current Status and Future Perspectives)” was recently held. This strategic event took place precisely 50 days ahead of the upcoming 48th World Heritage Committee meeting.
Funded by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), the symposium brought together top-tier international experts to discuss the establishment of a robust framework for Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs). This initiative aims to pioneer a new global standard for the conservation of earth sciences.
A central highlight of the event was the official signing of the #KGA Korea #Declaration, mapping out a shared future vision for international geoheritage policies. ProGEO was heavily represented at the forefront of this monumental step, with several of our distinguished members taking an active part in the panel and declaration ceremony.
Several ProGEO members and international colleagues led critical thematic presentations and addressed vital questions for the future of #geoconservation:
Global & Institutional Frameworks: ★Kyung Sik Woo (ProGEO Member, South Korea) opened the discourse on global geoheritage conservation and the strategic positioning of KGAs alongside Korea’s historical natural monuments.
★José Brilha (UNESCO Chair Holder of Geodiversity & Geoconservation, ProGEO Member) outlined the main guidelines, procedures, and crucial next steps for the IUCN KGA initiative.
Insights into global standards were further expanded by ★Robbert Casier (IUCN) and ★ Manu Monge-Ganuzas (IUCN Geoconservation Expert Group).
Thematic presentations:
★Kevin Page (Editor-in-Chief of Geoheritage, ProGEO Member) addressed the major international challenges currently facing geoheritage conservation.
★Piotr Migoń (Wrocław University, ProGEO Member) shared vital research on Erosional Systems, discussing potential Korean sites with exceptional geomorphological value.
★Maria da Gloria-Garcia (ProGEO Member) presented on Tectonic Systems, analyzing potential sites within the KGA framework.
★Melinda McHenry (University of Tasmania, ProGEO Member) brought crucial attention to Soils as Geoheritage, discussing their role in identifying potential KGA resources and addressing conservation challenges in UNESCO Global Geoparks.
The symposium also welcomed input from ★Sophie Elliott (Council of Global Geoparks) and Illias Valaikos (European Geoparks Network – EGN), further bridging the gap between national programs and established global networks.
We are incredibly proud of our members’ expertise and dedication to ensuring that scientific rigour, ranging from structural geology to geomorphology and pedology, underpins these new international conservation strategies. Stay tuned for further updates on how these frameworks develop!
We invite you to explore the event using following links:
Arirang News: https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=296589&lang=en
The Korea Times: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/…/korea-to-open-massive-k…
Naver News Coverage (KR) https://n.news.naver.com/article/018/0006291619?sid=103
Asia Economy Report https://www.asiae.co.kr/…/life-general/2026052801392580117
▶️ https://youtube.com/live/a9bnLJFQ1IE?feature=share
▶️ https://youtu.be/Vn2lkC_vLsc?si=FedISycLs3LMTLqB
posted by Adrian Jarzyna
