For the first time since 2017 and its recent return as a UNESCO Member, the U.S. participated at the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program’s International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) annual meeting from July 1-5, 2024 in Agadir, Morocco. The ICC is the governing body of UNESCO’s MAB Program. Cliff McCreedy, National Park Service, U.S. MAB Focal Point, and Kelly Cerialo, U.S. Member, International Advisory Committee on Biosphere Reserves attended for the USBN as Observers.
In remarks to the ICC, McCreedy noted:
“Just one year ago this month, the First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden joined UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay as the U.S. flag was raised at UNESCO headquarters. Dr. Biden brought with her our deep commitment to global cooperation and peace through our full participation as a member of UNESCO. As we celebrate that propitious moment, we reaffirm our long-time support for the MAB Program starting as an early partner in 1972.”
(Membership in UNESCO does not affect private property rights or the sovereign jurisdiction of state, local, federal or tribal governments.)
Thirty-four ICC members and over 150 observers and guests converged on the coastal city of Agadir, Morocco to review youth engagement, plans for the upcoming World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China next year, the 2025-2035 draft MAB Action Plan to be adopted at the Congress, renaming of the MAB Program, designation of new biosphere reserves and renewals of existing BRs, and other timely topics. On the first day, the MAB-ICC hosted a one-day symposium entitled “Rooted in Resilience: Unearthing the importance of soil in Sustainable Development.” Scientists and MAB representatives highlighted threats from desertification and soil loss and stressed the crucial importance of soil health to biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem services, and protecting food security.
During the following days Director General Azoulay urged the Council to support countries that do not yet have a Biosphere Reserve to join the World Network with a special focus on Africa, a global priority of UNESCO, and in islands, coastal areas, and marine environments on the front lines of climate disruption.
The ICC subsequently approved 11 new biosphere reserves in 11 countries, including Belgium and Gambia for the first time and two transboundary biosphere reserves. With these additions, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves covers a total area of 37,400 km², with 759 sites in 136 countries including 28 in the USBN. UNESCO press release.
McCreedy reported significant progress to the ICC by the USBN:
“Biosphere reserves in the USBN are making strides particularly on climate change response, youth engagement and professional development, and sustainable tourism. Multidisciplinary scientific evaluations of human and natural climate change vulnerability are producing geospatial tools and information for community and intergovernmental cooperation on climate response. Training workshops on the biosphere reserve ‘brand’ led to tourism and recreation projects that celebrate and maintain natural beauty and cultural authenticity. University-level interns are providing technical assistance in biosphere reserves and receiving professional experience and mentoring in the national network. Representatives of the USBN Youth Board recently participated in the Youth Conference at EuroMAB 2024 at Elbe River Landscape.”
The ICC also received the report of the Open Ended Working Group on Youth Involvement. Recommendations prioritized greater inclusion of youth in decision-making and governance of the MAB Program, including a permanent youth seat on the ICC, and more engagement with the MAB Secretariat and regional networks, and in biosphere reserves’ decision-making. The Working Group suggested funding for youth travel and participation in international and regional meetings and greater emphasis on professional development opportunities.
In other actions, the ICC opted to retain the existing Man and the Biosphere name. Concerns about inherent gender bias led to a consultative process in the World Network surveying opinions on a possible name change, but a majority of members voted in favor of retaining the current name. Some members offered that the word ‘Man’ is gender neutral in the context of MAB and their cultures and language. Cerialo spoke in favor of a name change as an Observer, and the Republic of Korea, Colombia, and Canada also supported a change.
U S. participation will continue to be important at ICC annual meetings. The USBN is looking forward to having participants at the World Congress on Biosphere Reserves in September 2025, as well.
Working documents and details from the MAB-ICC event can be found here.
