This result was achieved following a long and complex scientific work certified by an inspection visit by two evaluators (Tony Ramsey, Antonio Duarte) appointed at the meeting of 8 April 2015 by the GGN UNESCO Secretariat.
The inspection visit was supported by the structure of the Pollino National Park, with the collaboration of the Forestry Corps (CTA), university professors (Muto, Piluso Robustelli and Rizzo) appointed by the two Rectors of the University of Calabria and Basilicata, the University of Florence with Prof. Lo Vetro - for the Grotta del Romito - and with the full collaboration of the municipal administrations in whose territories the visited sites fall (Papasidero, Civita, Terranova del Pollino, San Costantino Albanese Viggianello).
Moreover, on 17 November 2015, UNESCO's 195 Member States, in the framework of the 38th Plenary Session of the UNESCO General Conference, recognised the World Geoparks Network as a UNESCO Priority Project, and all the geoparks have, therefore, obtained recognition as UNESCO Global Geoparks.
The recognition of the Pollino Unesco Global Geopark represents not only a source of pride for our territory, but also a fundamental impulse to the correct management, protection and valorisation of the Geodiversity and of the environmental-cultural system of the Pollino Park, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The UNESCO Global Geoparks will help raise awareness of Geodiversity and promote best practices in protection, education and tourism.
Together with World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves, UNESCO Global Geoparks offers tools for sustainable development and makes a valuable contribution to the realisation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, combining global and local perspectives.
In support of this important result, the Pollino National Park has produced a Publication in Italian/English entitled "Parco Nazionale del Pollino: geosites, natural and cultural heritage" - Authors: Geol. L. Bloise and Eng. E. Calabrese - that starting from the main geological emergencies, systematises and synthesises all the main environmental and cultural peculiarities of the Pollino Park.