UNESCO to choose sites to join global network of biosphere reserves
Experts from around the world are gathering this week at the Paris headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to consider 33 new sites for inclusion into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Experts from around the world are gathering this week at the Paris headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to consider 33 new sites for inclusion into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The Bureau of the International Coordinating Council for UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, comprising representatives from 34 Member States, is holding a three-day meeting, which started yesterday, to consider proposals from 21 countries.
For the first time El Salvador, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are proposing sites to join the existing network of 507 reserves in 102 countries.
The Programme was launched in 1970 to promote sustainable development on a scientific basis with the active involvement of local communities and to reduce the loss of biodiversity around the world. The reserves in the network are ecological sites where those communities are involved in governance and management, research, education, training and monitoring, promoting both development and biodiversity conservation.