Ethiopia’s Untapped Geopark Treasures Await Global Explorers

Addis Ababa, May 16, 2025 (




ENA




Foreign visitors noted that Ethiopia boasts substantial natural resources and has considerable potential for establishing geo-parks and promoting geo-tourism.

This week, the Ministry of Tourism partnered with UNESCO to host a training session for global experts centered around the topic “How UNESCO Global Geoparks and Geotourism Contribute to Sustainable Development.”

Following the training, heads of federal institutions, regional and city administrations culture and tourism bureaus, Ethiopian professionals in the sector, and UNESCO experts from various countries visited selected tourist destinations.

The locations included the Tiya stelae and the Melka Kunture Balchit site.





archaeological and paleontological sites





, together with adjacent geological heritage sites and various geological features within the Central Ethiopia area.

The UNESCO Natural Sciences Program Specialist, Ozlem Adiyaman Lopez, mentioned that she has seen remarkable sights during her visit.

She commented that the stones she saw were remarkable and steeped in history, noting further that the local people are actively safeguarding them.

She stated that her reason for being in Ethiopia was to present the new UNESCO idea of Geoparks, emphasizing that this initiative serves as a means to highlight how these rocks originated, their source, and the connection between the location and the local population.

Bakari Manaya from Tanzania said the areas he visited are very important for educational purposes and understanding human origins.

He also praised the commendable work done by the Ethiopian government and people to preserve the sites.

The UNESCO Natural Science Specialist, Sophie Justice, emphasized that geoparks and geotourism play vital roles in fostering sustainable growth.

She explained that geological heritage has global significance, and these unique sites are found in only one or two special locations around the world.

She believes that the initiatives taken to establish geoparks at these incredible locations in Ethiopia are promising.

I support the initiatives underway to safeguard our environment and community both for present guests and for generations to come.

Craig Makunzim from Rwanda noted that Ethiopia’s geo-heritage conservation and the local community’s awareness of the sites are impressive.

He emphasized that this is very important for both the community and tourists, suggesting the need for additional research.

Ethiopia has an abundance of geotourism destinations such as the Sof Omar Caves, Geralta, Konso, Afar, Bale Mountains National Park, and Simien Mountains National Park, amongst others.

The Ministry of Tourism is exerting efforts to get sites showcasing geological formations registered by UNESCO as geoparks.