GEODIVERSITY AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Geodiversity & sustainable development goals 16 & 17.
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Case study:
SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
The International Geophysical Year (1957-1958), intrisincally linked to the themes of geodiversity, led directly to the successfukl development of the Antarctic Treaty System. The ATS, not only sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, but was also the first international treaty the ban nuclear testing in a specific region. The ATS also has specific protocols for the protection of geological heritage on the continent. Through geodiversity we can bring countries together, promote the rule of law, and make the world more peaceful.
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Case study:
SDG 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism
International cooperation on all areas of geodiversity, from access to water, natural resources, clean energy, soils, and conservation are vital for securing progress towards the sustainable development goals. Through international institutions like the UN, UNESCO, the International Geoscience Programme, the UNESCO Global Geopark community, the International Union for Geological Sciences, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, we can facilitate progress together as a global community.