This is the first special issue of Geoconservation Research, focussing on ‘Geoconservation in the Carpathian area’. The aim in this volume was to select a geographic region that spans several nations, and to explore common issues. Although connected by natural assets, mainly the Carpathian Mountains and Danube River, each nation has its own laws and attitudes regarding nature protection, i.e. regional and global geoconservation framework. In other words, the foundation of identifying and justifying the sites must be international, whereas the actual legal protections and development of geoparks and geotourism depend on national and local government.