Dr. Dongying Wei
Chair, IGU Commission on Geoheritage and Parks (IGU-CoG)
 

It is a privilege to serve as Chair of the IGU Commission on Geoheritage and Parks (IGU-CoG)—an international platform committed to advancing the geographical understanding, academic research, and policy integration of geoheritage, geoparks, and protected landscapes worldwide.

Geoheritage represents more than the physical record of Earth’s past—it is a living connection between geology, culture, ecosystems, and people. Through initiatives such as geoparks, national parks, protected areas, and World Heritage sites, geoheritage has become a foundation for education, sustainable tourism, heritage conservation, and community empowerment.

Since the launch of the Geopark Task Force in 2004, the establishment of the Commission at the First International Forum on Geoparks in Yuntaishan, China in 2007, and the continued success of the annual conferences on Geoheritage and Parks from 2013 to 2023, IGU-CoG has served as a bridge between science, community, and policy. Our members represent diverse disciplines and cultural contexts, united by a shared commitment to collaborative, cross-disciplinary research and innovation.

To further enhance academic communication and visibility, the Commission initiated the International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks—a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary international journal focused on the management, policies, education, tourism, interpretation, museology, economics, and sustainable development of geoheritage and park systems. The journal welcomes contributions that explore diverse, pluralistic visions of geoheritage from both conceptual and empirical perspectives. While rooted in the social sciences, it actively engages with natural and physical scientists aiming to reach social science and policy audiences. The journal is cross-disciplinary and transnational, with all articles subjected to rigorous peer review by independent experts.

Looking ahead, IGU-CoG remains committed to:
 

• Supporting innovative research on geoheritage protection, park interpretation, and community-based geotourism
• Fostering youth education, digital storytelling, and inclusive conservation practices
• Strengthening partnerships with UNESCO, the Global Geoparks Network, and other international and regional organizations
• Publishing and disseminating impactful knowledge through journals, forums, and capacity-building initiatives
• I warmly invite scholars, educators, policy-makers, geoscientists, and community leaders to join us. Together, we can ensure that geoheritage and parks not only conserve the past but inspire a more resilient and connected global future.

Dr. Dongying Wei
Chair, IGU Commission on Geoheritage and Parks (IGU-CoG)
International Geographical Union
2025