OICC Press Geoconservation Research 2588-7343 2026 08 21 From Geological Heritage to Sustainable Development: A Practice-Based Model for UNESCO Global Geoparks Development in Iran 10.57647/gcr.2026.0901.05 EN Alireza Amrikazemi Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal Artur A. Sá Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal Nikolaos Zouros School of Social Sciences, University of the Aegean, Greece Journal Article 2026 08 21 Iran has actively worked to register its uniquely diverse geological landscapes within the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) framework. We explore the practical realities of that effort, focusing on three core cases: Qeshm Island, which paved the way as the pioneering initiative in both Iran and the broader Middle East; Tabas, recognized for its extraordinary stratigraphic record spanning 500 million years; and Aras, which serves as a compelling model for balancing heavy industrial development with community-led heritage conservation. We present a five-stage development model for territories preparing a UNESCO Global Geopark nomination that highlights the necessity of rigorous scientific inventories, multi-stakeholder governance, and genuine local participation. By comparing these distinct territories, we identify transferable lessons for managing Geoparks under complex administrative constraints. We also unpack the systemic reasons why Geopark expansion has historically stalled in Iran and propose a framework to address these barriers. A shortlist of thirty candidate regions, assessed for scientific rarity, geosite integrity, and strategic viability, is presented to guide future designation efforts.