The aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (aUGGp), Viñales Geopark, has formally submitted its candidacy to the UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme Secretariat in Paris, as confirmed by a letter from the President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO.

The aUGGp is now focused on preparing its application dossier, which must be submitted by November 30, 2025. The dossier requires explicit support from relevant local and regional authorities and a letter of endorsement from the National Commission for UNESCO.

Once the application is accepted and deemed complete, the UNESCO Secretariat will forward the geological section to the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) for documentary evaluation. Simultaneously, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council will assign up to two evaluators for a field mission, tentatively scheduled for the first half of 2026.