The Regional Environment Director stated on S. Jorge that the Azores are one of the two regions of the world that were distinguished with all the classifications awarded by UNESCO; the other being the Jeju region in South Korea.

 Hernâni Jorge pointed out that only three of the 195 UNESCO member countries have been distinguished with all the classifications awarded by this UN organisation: "World Heritage," "Biosphere Reserve" and "Geopark. In addition to these, the Azores were also awarded the Ramsar international classification that distinguishes wetlands; UNESCO is associated to this classification.

 "We have identified only two regions in the whole world that were distinguished with the four classifications: the Azores and Jeju in Korea," stated Hernâni Jorge. The government official spoke Thursday at the closing of the seminar "Biosphere Reserves - Spaces of Cooperation and Development," where the application form of the "Fajãs" of S. Jorge to UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was signed.

 Hence, the Regional Director noted the symbolism of the presence of Dai-Yeun Jeong, representative of Asia Climate Change Education Center, in the guest panel. The meeting was also attended by UNESCO representatives.

 The United Nations Conference for the creation of an educational and cultural organisation was convened in London in 1945. A total of 37 countries signed on November 16 a letter establishing the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

 In 1968, UNESCO organised the first intergovernmental conference with the purpose of harmonising environment and development, which is currently designated as "sustainable development"; it resulted in the creation of the "Man and Biosphere" programme.

 Currently, three of the eight Biosphere Reserves in Portugal are located in the Azores: Graciosa and Corvo (1997) and Flores (2009).

 Since 2013, the Azores Geopark is unique in the world because it has 121 geosites on nine islands, covering the entire archipelago.

 The 13 sites in the Azores classified under the Ramsar Convention are the following: crater lakes of Fajã dos Cubres and Fajã do Santo Cristo (S. Jorge island); Caldeira da Graciosa (Furna do Enxofre - Graciosa island); Caldeira do Faial (Faial island); Caldeirão do Corvo (Corvo island); volcanic complexes of Furnas, Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo (São Miguel island); Formigas islet and Dollabarat Reef (Santa Maria island); Planalto Central da Terceira (Furnas do Enxofre and Algar do Carvão) and Paul da Praia da Vitória (Terceira island); Planalto Central das Flores (Morro Alto - Flores island); Planalto Central de São Jorge (Pico da Esperança) and Planalto Central do Pico (Achada).

 As for the classification of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in the Azores, there are two areas classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site: the city of Angra Heroísmo and the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture.