Green Card for Katla Geopark

UNESCO Global Geoparks undergo an evaluation by two international experts every four years. Katla Geopark’s evaluation took place in June 2025; this is essentially a quality assessment, as strict criteria apply to being part of the internationally certified network of UNESCO Global Geoparks.

The evaluation went very well, and the Geopark wishes to thank everyone who contributed to the process. On the 27^th of April, 2026, a ceremony was held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris where 12 new UNESCO Global Geoparks were welcomed to the group of 229 existing ones, and 44 received a document confirming their continued certification, including Katla Geopark.

The certification is valid for the next four years, until 2029, at which point the Geopark must undergo another evaluation. Kristín Halla Kristinsdóttir, member of the Permanent Commission of Iceland to UNESCO, accepted the certificate document on behalf of Katla Geopark from Kristof Vandenberghe of UNESCO. The photo was taken by Sacha Heron.