A ceremony on celebrating the designation of Aras Geopark in UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (GGN) was held on 21 June, 2023 in the Aras Free Zone, Public Relations & Intl. Affairs of AFZ reported.

The ceremony featured some outstanding aspects which resonated throughout world. Over 10 ambassadors of different countries and domestic officials from different bodies of the government participated in this glorious event showing the world that Aras area features outlandish geological potentials dating back millions years which could be rewarding as tourist destination and boost the regional economy.

Alireza Amri Kazemi, Member of the Supreme Council of UNESCO World Geoparks stated that the history of the global designation of Aras Geopark began in 2010, in 2015, a fresh movement was launched in the Aras Free Zone Organization, and in 2017, Professor Martini, the head of the Supreme Council of UNESCO Geoparks, came to Aras and executive work continued. In 2019, while approving the activities carried out in this area, the global designation file was sent to UNESCO, but due to the spread of Corona, after two years, a UNESCO field evaluation was carried out and this year we were able to get the approval of the global designation of Ares Geopark.

The member of the Supreme Council of UNESCO World Geoparks mentioned the presence of high cultural richness and various ceremonies and rituals among other features of the region and said Khaje Nazar Caravanserai and St. Stepanos Monastery are among the important sites of this region.

“Today we are at the beginning of the journey”, Amri Kazemi said, “In the future, the geopark management system should be completed and we should actively participate in national and international programs. Increasing the existing geosites and equipping them with tourism facilities and making the role of local people more prominent are also important criteria for maintaining Aras Geopark”.