UNESCO Global Geoparks in Iceland
Iceland has two UNESCO Global Geoparks, Katla and Reykjanes. They work together through two bodies:
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The Icelandic Global Geoparks Network (Íslandsdeild GGN) is the geoparks' formal national network within GGN.
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The Iceland National Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks (Íslandsnefnd jarðvanga) is the national forum where the geoparks, government and partners meet.
This page summarises our work in English. The main website is in Icelandic.
The geoparks
Katla UNESCO Global Geopark is Iceland's first geopark, founded in 2010 and a member of the European Geoparks Network since 2011. It covers 9,542 km², about 9% of Iceland, across three municipalities in South Iceland. Its landscape is shaped by the meeting of fire and ice: active volcanoes under glaciers, black sand coasts and powerful glacial rivers.
Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark was designated in 2015 and covers 829 km² across four municipalities on the Reykjanes peninsula. Here the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises from the sea, and visitors can see the plate boundary, geothermal areas, craters, lava fields and sea-bird cliffs. The peninsula is one of the most volcanically active areas in Iceland.
Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark →
Icelandic Global Geoparks Network
The Icelandic Global Geoparks Network was founded on 24 June 2025, following the GGN decision that member countries should formalise cooperation between their geoparks in national networks. The Icelandic geoparks had worked together long before. The network gives that cooperation a clear framework for joint projects, information sharing and international participation.
Its aims are to:
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strengthen cooperation and information sharing between the Icelandic geoparks
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promote the protection of geoheritage and geodiversity through education, research and responsible use
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support education, outdoor learning and knowledge about nature, earth history and society
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work with municipalities, institutions, academia, businesses and residents
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encourage responsible destination development and sustainable community development
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take an active part in international cooperation, especially within GGN and EGN
The network's statutes have been approved by the GGN board. It meets at least quarterly and reports to GGN every year. The board members are listed under Contact below.
Action plan 2025–2027
The geoparks have a joint action plan based on the GGN strategy, with four pillars:
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Protection of geoheritage, nature and resources
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Strong communities, education and resilience
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Knowledge sharing, professional development and management
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Cooperation in Iceland and internationally
The plan supports each geopark's work but does not replace their own work and development plans.
Iceland National Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks
The UNESCO Global Geoparks statutes encourage member states to set up a national committee. In Iceland, this role is filled by the Iceland National Committee, previously called the Icelandic Geopark Forum. It was founded in 2015 after a preparatory meeting in 2014. The committee brings together 19 organisations, including ministries and government agencies, municipal associations, tourism and marketing bodies, academic and professional associations, national parks and the two geoparks.
It usually meets once or twice a year. Its aims are to increase the number of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Iceland, to support the Icelandic geoparks and to raise awareness of geoparks and what they stand for.
International cooperation
Both geoparks are members of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the European Geoparks Network (EGN). Iceland is represented on the GGN Advisory Committee by Þuríður H. Aradóttir Braun. In September 2026 the Icelandic geoparks took part together in the European Geoparks Conference in Saimaa, Finland.
Contact
Iceland National Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks
Þuríður H. Aradóttir Braun, thura@visitreykjanes.is
Icelandic Global Geoparks Network, board
Daníel Einarsson, Chair, daniel@reykjanesgeopark.is
Þuríður H. Aradóttir Braun, Vice-chair, thura@visitreykjanes.is
Sigurður Sigursveinsson, Board member, sigurdur@hfsu.is
Jóhannes Marteinn Jóhannesson, Board member, johannes@katlageopark.is
The geoparks
Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, info@katlageopark.is
Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, info@reykjanesgeopark.is