On Friday, February 23, the Korean government and UNESCO will sign the ‘Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) regarding the Establishment of the Global Research and Training Center for Internationally Designated Areas under the Auspices of UNESCO’ in Paris, France. 

Korean Ambassador Park Sang-mi and Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, will sign the agreement. After the signing, both parties will complete internal procedures for the enforcement of the agreement and inform each other, completing the remaining procedures for the agreement to take effect.

The Global Research and Training Center for Internationally Designated Areas, approved for establishment at the 40th UNESCO General Conference in November 2019, is a UNESCO Category 2 center. It is planned to be established using facilities within the Jeju Stone Park in Jocheon-eup, Jeju Island. 

A UNESCO Category 2 center receives sponsorship from UNESCO and contributes to the implementation of UNESCO programs in the fields of education, science, culture, etc. Additionally, it obtains a legal status according to agreements between UNESCO and the host country, and operates with the human and material resources of the host country.

The center is established based on the resolution adopted at the World Conservation Congress (WCC, September 2012) for the development of an integrated management system for internationally designated areas. As the world's first research and training institution related to the management and conservation of multi-internationally designated areas*, it is expected to perform roles such as research on policies and international trends related to multi-internationally designated areas, education and training for internationally designated area managers and comprehensive stakeholders, establishing collaborative networks among relevant institutions and cooperation between trainees and stakeholders.

* Area where two or more internationally designated areas, such as sphere reserves, UNESCO Global Geoparks, World Natural Heritage sites, and Ramsar sites, overlap either fully or partially

The government is soliciting opinions on the operation plan for the center through expert advisory meetings and is collaborating with relevant agencies, including Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, to swiftly establish the corporation and build a stable operational foundation.

Ahn Se-chang, Director General of the Nature Conservation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "The government expects the Global Research and Training Center for Internationally Designated Areas to play a pivotal role internationally, and we plan to actively support the enhancement of the center's capabilities." He added, "We will share relevant research results and educational content with the international community and collaborate with UNESCO in the field of internationally designated area management."

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com