The Algarvensis Geoparks Association (aUGGp Algarvensis) organized on September 13th and 14th, the 1st visit and technical meetings of the Portuguese UNESCO Global Geoparks, including those aspiring to this designation.
As we reported in https://sempreamaonoticias.pt/2024/09/15/l-a-visita-e-reunioes-tecnicas-do-geoparque-mundias-da-unesco-em-loule/ Cooperation Protocols were signed on the first day with several regional entities, namely: the Administration of the Algarve Hydrographic Region of the Portuguese Environment Agency (ARH/APA), the Association of Municipalities of the Algarve – Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Algarve), the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF – Algarve), the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA).
Protocols were also signed with the four Portuguese UNESCO Global Geoparks (Arouca, Estrela, Naturtejo, and Terras de Cavaleiros). The Azores UNESCO Global Geopark will formally sign the partnership with the Algarvensis Geopark during the 17th European Geoparks Conference, held on October 1st and 5th in Iceland.
As for the National Energy and Geology Laboratory (LNEG), it was also present, and the signing of the Protocol is scheduled for the next few days.
It was also possible to obtain the support of several partners, such as the IN-LOCO Association, the Armação de Pêra Fishermen's Association, the “Unidos da Penina” Recreational Association, the Loulé Criativo project, and its six workshops – Boilermaker, Empreita House, Pottery, Watchmaker, Textiles, Esparto House and Luthier, the Cerro do Ouro Recreational Center – Albufeira, the Cooperative for the Sustainable Development of Low Density Territories – Algarve (QRER), the Loulé Municipal Museum and the various museum centers.
Distributed throughout the territory, the "Flor da Praça" Restaurant (Loulé), the "Veneza" Restaurant (Paderne), and various artisans, artists, seamstresses, and fishermen, among other local communities. Throughout this application process, it is important to highlight the intrinsic support of the three municipalities that make up the Algarvensis Geopark territory: Loulé, Silves, and Albufeira, and their respective Parish Councils.
Over the course of two days, the Algarvensis Geopark received support from 32 individuals. This support and partnerships aim to strengthen the application process, with the hope that the Algarvensis Geopark will become the seventh UNESCO Global Geopark in Portugal.
This visit and technical meetings by representatives of the Portuguese UNESCO Global Geoparks were considered by them as “a true sharing and exchange of knowledge, basic principles of true networking”, unanimously expressing the repetition of this initiative in 2025.
