İda Madra Geopark in Balıkesir Aims for UNESCO Recognition: Steps Towards Global Acknowledgment
Strengthening Turkish-Greek Friendship
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İda Madra Geopark in Balıkesir Aims for UNESCO Recognition: Steps Towards Global Acknowledgment
YEREL GÜNDEM / BALIKESİR
The 17,000-square-kilometer İda Madra Geopark in Balıkesir is swiftly progressing towards being included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın continues to take significant steps to support this process.
Key Meetings for UNESCO Inclusion
Mayor Ahmet Akın recently met with Lesvos Geopark Director and President of the Global Geoparks Network, Prof. Nicholas C. Zouros, on the island of Lesvos, adjacent to Ayvalık. Akın emphasized Balıkesir's determination to have İda Madra Geopark included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, highlighting the region's natural wealth. Prof. Zouros acknowledged the importance of geoparks for urban development, emphasizing the value of collaboration between the two countries.
Strengthening Turkish-Greek Friendship
During his visit to Lesvos, Mayor Akın not only focused on the UNESCO process but also highlighted the significance of strengthening cultural ties between Turkey and Greece. Akın held meetings with the Mayor of Lesvos, Panagiotis Christofas, and the Mayor of Kalloni, Taxiarchis Verros, delivering messages of friendship and cooperation. The discussions emphasized using geoparks to deepen social and cultural connections and to strengthen relations between neighboring peoples.
Natural Riches of the Geopark
The İda Madra Geopark spans a vast 17,000-square-kilometer area in northwestern Turkey, covering all of Balıkesir, parts of Çanakkale, and İzmir. With coastlines along both the Marmara and Aegean Seas, this unique region features geological formations dating from the Paleozoic to the Quaternary periods. The geopark is renowned for its rich mineral deposits and geothermal resources.
İda Madra: Aiming for Global Recognition
Recognition of geoparks by UNESCO holds great significance for local economies and ecotourism. Mayor Ahmet Akın expressed his commitment to ensuring that the İda Madra Geopark receives the international acknowledgment it deserves. Prof. Zouros highlighted Balıkesir's determination and noted that collaboration would significantly benefit the development of both regions.
Inclusion of İda Madra Geopark in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network will not only elevate Balıkesir’s profile but also bring worldwide attention to Turkey’s geological and natural wealth. Mayor Akın's efforts aim to transform Balıkesir into a global center for nature and tourism.
With this important geological heritage set to join UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network, the region is expected to become a key ecotourism destination, attracting both local and international tourists.
