UNESCO Global Geoparks in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Their Contribution to Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

It is important to assess whether UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) fulfill their commitment to support the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) established by Agenda 2030. This work proposes a method of assessing the UGGps’ contribution to SDGs. A questionnaire was distributed among inhabitants of the four Latin American UGGps (Araripe UGGp in Brazil, Grutas del Palacio UGGp in Uruguay, and Comarca Minera UGGp and Mixteca Alta UGGp in Mexico); responses indicated the expectations of the local communities and recorded that these four geoparks are helping to meet some of the SDGs, although not necessarily the same SDGs as those predicted by the UNESCO for geoparks in general. On one hand, the importance of this work lies in its contribution to analysis of the characteristics and challenges of specific UGGps in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). On the other hand, it establishes a basis for effective analysis of the contribution of geoparks in general to sustainable development.