Governance & Management Team

The governance and management of the Silti-Butajera Geopark involve a multi-stakeholder framework that includes federal and regional Ethiopian government bodies, local community leaders, and international partners such as UNESCO. The Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism plays a central role, with the State Minister for Tourism actively leading efforts to develop geopark initiatives, including the Silti-Butajera Volcano-Tectonic Zone. This governance structure emphasizes community engagement, ensuring that local stakeholders from Butajira and Silti are deeply involved in planning, protection, and promotion activities.

The management team typically comprises representatives from:

• Federal and regional tourism authorities responsible for policy and oversight,

• Scientific and geological experts contributing knowledge on geosites and conservation,

• Local government and traditional leaders providing community perspectives,

• UNESCO advisors guiding compliance with international geopark standards and capacity-building,

• Tourism operators and conservation NGOs engaged in implementation and outreach.

This collaborative governance model is intended to balance conservation, sustainable development, and local economic benefits through geotourism. Workshops and training sessions organized with UNESCO and other experts aim to strengthen governance resilience and effective management practices, drawing on lessons from global geopark networks.

Thus, the Silti-Butajera Geopark is governed through partnerships among government entities, local communities, scientific institutions, and international bodies, all working together to ensure sustainable management and development of the geopark’s unique geological and cultural heritage.