As part of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP), UNESCO supports international research activities in the field of geoscience. The guiding principles driving these efforts relate to worldwide scientific cooperation with an emphasis on stronger North-South cooperation. While the programme was originally focused on basic research, in the last years, it has increasingly turned to applied geosciences. This shift has primarily been prompted by the societal relevance of fighting natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions. In doing so, the IGCP increasingly collaborates with UNESCO’s other long-term programmes in natural sciences. A focal point of the programme lies on the UNESCO Geoparks.