UNESCO Khartoum office. The UNESCO official's experts presented MAB and IGGP and brainstormed on opportunities of further developments in Sudan.

Transcription

1 Sudanese National Commission for UNESCO National MAB Committee/ Sudan Report for Introduction: The National Man and Biosphere (MAB) Committee was established since the seventies, under the Sudanese National Commission for UNESCO/Ministry of General Education. It has always included a number of specialists in the field of wildlife, natural resources and environment. The committee held meetings on regular basis; monthly and occasionally when needed. The Sudan has 3 biosphere reserves (BRs), namely, Dinder (1979), Radom (1982) and Jebal Al Dair (2017). The Sudanese National Man and Biosphere (MAB) Committee works in full coordination and be a key partner to the national authorities in the implementation of MAB program in the three BRs and developing awareness to protect the natural environment in Sudan. The role of MAB Committee: Supports wildlife conservation and development in and out protected areas and reserves. Conducting Research and environmental monitoring in nature protected areas and biosphere reserves. Training, education and environmental awareness. Declaration of Biosphere Reserves and its accession to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves Initiate consultation and advice for effective management of biosphere reserves in all natural environments. Identify the modern methods for integrated management towards sustainable development of biosphere reserves on the different ecosystems. Assists in developing policies, strategies and management plans for protected areas in Sudan. Collaborates with national, regional, international authorities and organizations in different issues related to sustainable development goals. Conducts activities to preserve the Sudanese and Arab natural heritage..etc 1

2 Membership: National MAB Committee represent Sudan and Arab region as a member of the International Advisory Committee of the MAB Program, and being selected in the Executive Committee of the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Program (Session 16). Sudan is a prominent member of the Bureau of the Arab Network of Biosphere Reserves (Arab MAB Network). Now Sudan is a member of the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Program ( ). The National MAB Committee has good relations with the following: - Wildlife Conservation General Administration (WCGA), - Ministry of Tourism, Antiquities and Wildlife, - Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Wildlife/ Red Sea State - Ministry of Water Resources Irrigation, and Electricity. - National IHP Committee - Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources. - National Center for Research - Wildlife Research Center - National Remote Sensing Authority - National Forestry Corporation - UNESCO Khartoum Office - UNESCO Cairo Office - State Ministry of Environment at Khartoum State - Sudanese Environmental Conservation Society - UNESCO Chairs (UNESCO Chair for Oceanography and Marine sciences, UNESCO Chair for Desertification, UNESCO Chair for Women in Science and Technology, UNESCO Chair for Water Resources, UNESCO Ecotechnique Chair etc) - Many universities and research corporations - Many national, regional and international organizations (Coasteau, PERSGA Organization, the Sudanese Development Initiative etc) A: Projects: (1): : Preparation of the scientific file of Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay/Mukkawar Island Marine National Park (Sudan Red Sea) for the inscription on the World Natural Heritage list, in cooperation with the UNESCO Chair for Oceanography and Marine Sciences, WCGA, the Directorate of Marine protected areas/ Red Sea State and Red Sea University (Funding from the World Heritage Center / UNESCO). 2

3 2) 2017: a- 1 st Consultative Meeting for Dinder BR Al Atish National Park Transboundary Initiative was held at 18 September 2017 at Addis Ababa. The meeting was attained by 26 participants representing Sudanese National Man and Biosphere (MAB) Committee, Ethiopia MAB Focal point, Wildlife Authorities from Sudan and Ethiopia, Directors of Dinder and Al Atish NPs. Ethiopia UNESCO National Office (Ms Dr. Yumako Yokozeki and Dr. Benno Boer) had honored the meeting. The meeting was concluded by certain recommendations and the establishment of the Joint Transboundary Initiative committee which is composed of 2 countries' committees: to start establishment of collaborating trans-boundary reserve. These joint committee supposed to come out with Plan of Actions for cooperation towards the Trans-boundary Biosphere reserve, with the aim to improve ecological integrity, better protection for migratory species and integrated management plan which could include joint management of wetlands, a joint fire policy, joint ant-poaching and patrolling programs, joint community programs and joint research and monitoring programs and could enhance the opportunity for regional socio-economic development, resource sharing and skill transfer. b-the MAB Committee participated in some environmental projects and researches in the field of natural protected areas in Dinder, Radom, Hassaniya, Wadi Hawor, Jabel Al Dair and Marine Reserves during c- Project -UNESCO Biosphere Reserves at Red Sea coast and islands, Sudan- Nov The work was developed between the 1st of September 2017 and end of November 2017 including a field mission, by the consultant Mr. Antnio Abreu, accompanied by a National Consultant (Dr. Moamer Ali, Dean of the Faculty of Marine Sciences, Red Sea University), aiming to assess the potential for the establishment of Biosphere Reserves in Sudan s Red Sea State. The project include collection of information, literature review, field visits, meetings and consultations which were carried out in close cooperation with the UNESCO Khartoum Office, MAB National Committee, National Commission for UNESCO and Faculty of Marine Sciences, Red Sea University. 3) 2018: 3

4 -The MAB Committee, in cooperation with the Sudanese Environmental Conservation Society, established the MAB Youth Forum and held the first meeting on Wednesday 14 March 2018 at the National Commission for UNESCO. The forum was attended by young men and women aged between years as representatives of various bodies including the WCGA, the National Wildlife Research Center, the Sudanese Environmental Conservation Society, the Sudanese Development Initiative Society and the Sudanese Environment Conservation Society as representatives of civil society organizations. The meeting focused on the idea and the establishment of the first World MAB Youth Forum, World Youth Declaration to support the MAB program and implementation of its strategy. The presentations dealt with the MAB program and the Biosphere reserves (BR) Concept contained information about the establishment of the program activities on sustainable development. The Forum held 2 meetings during April and May at Sudanese Environment Conservation Society selecting a committee of 10 members to develop its action plans and divide the roles of its members. The action plans include an awareness program about MAB program, BR Concept and activities related to sustainable development goals. They start to establish face book web-site ( about the activities towards increasing its membership of the forum in different states and BRs of Sudan. B: Training and Awareness program: 1-Fact checking mission: Targeting to expand UNESCO s activities in Sudan, linked to Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB), International Geopark and Geoscience Programme (IGGP), two senior UNESCO officers from the Ecological and Earth Sciences Division of the Science Sector of the UNESCO (Dr. Han Qunli, the Director of Ecological Sciences and Secretary of International MAB Programme and Dr. Miguel Clusener- Godt, the Head of MAB Programme Research and Policies Section (SC/EES/ESP) Headquarters (SC/EES) had conducted a mission to Sudan on March The objective is possibility of involving Sudan in the World Network of Islands and Coastal Biosphere Reserves (WNCINBR) via creating Marine Biosphere Reserves in Sudan's Red Sea Terrestrial Island and Coastal Zones. The UNESCO official's experts, on 15 March 2017, held a seminar titled Overview of UNESCO's International Programmes for MAB and IGGP organized by the, National MAB Committee and National Commission for UNESCO in cooperation with 4

5 UNESCO Khartoum office. The UNESCO official's experts presented MAB and IGGP and brainstormed on opportunities of further developments in Sudan. 2-The National MAB Committee, in partnership with WCGA, the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Wildlife/Red Sea State, in cooperation with the Nature Program of the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage and International Union for the Conservation of Nature(IUCN) had implemented a technical workshop in Port Sudan April, 2018 on the Evaluation of the management effectiveness of World Heritage sites (eg Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay/Mukkawar Island Marine National Park (Sudan Red Sea- 2016) which is the only natural heritage property in the Sudan. The guidelines adopted by UNESCO and IUCN have been implemented in the so-called "Strengthening Our World Heritage: 2008" and the evaluation of the management effectiveness of protected areas (2006). The workshop represented a participatory activity with excellence and a well-organized successor by the Sudanese National Commission for Education, Science and Culture. The workshop was attended by a wide range of national and local institutions related to protected areas and the World Heritage site, including government and academic institutions and the local community. It came out with 8 recommendations including the importance of conducting the same training program in all biosphere reserves for evaluating the effectiveness of their management. C: Participation (2018): 1- Cooperation with National Eco-hydrology Committee at World Water Day/ 28, March, 2018, under the theme: Water and Nature. Recommended the Establishment of more Biosphere Reserves to prevent the decline in the unique subtropical river flood plain biodiversity and to consider the integration between MAB and hydrology (Ecohydrology) which is vital for progress across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2-Awareness Workshop on National Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program in Sudan, March 21st 2018, organized by MAB National Committee, National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with UNESCO Khartoum Office. It was supported financially by UNESCO/MAB. The workshop was attained by Dr Miguel Clusener-Godt presenting UNESCO MAB Program and WBRN Strategies and plans and Dr. Antnio Abreu 5

6 presenting his survey on the potential biosphere reserves in Red Sea Coast/Sudan. The workshop was attained by directors of BRs in Sudan ( Dinder, Radom and Jebel Al Dair). They gave overview on the status of their reserves and their plans towards Sustainable Development. 3-WCGA in collaboration with the Sustainable Natural Resource Management Project held Wildlife Policy Workshop and the integration with natural resources, under the banner of sustainable development of wildlife at 13 MAY Other Activities: 1-The maps of Sanganeb and Dungonab Bay/Mukkawar Island Marine National Parks and the nominated World Natural Heritage site, have been developed by the Remote Sensing Authority in cooperation Wildlife Conservation General Administration and National MAB Committee. The maps were reviewed and updated by Arab Regional Center for World Heritage in cooperation with PERSIGA at 2017 Future action plans under the Lima Action Plan: Introducing the MAB Program and the MAB Committee and its role. There is an absence of information among officials and the public - and the need to work out an awareness program Adding new members to the committee- to include all stakeholders Implementation of the proposed plan of actions to develop the transitional zone of the Dinder BR. Updating the Management Plan of Dinder BR. Implementing the Management Plan of Jebal Al Dair BR. and developing the transitional zone of the reserve. Cooperation with the Regional Arab Center for World Heritage to implement the integrated management plan for the World Heritage Site. Celebrating World Days such as World Day for Biodiversity, Environment day, Wetland Day and others. Addressing the biosphere reserves concept within the framework of legislation and National Wildlife Law and policy. Conduct surveys to document the status, to update the management plan and develop the Periodic Review of Radom BR. 6

7 Strengthening cooperation with universities and research centers to update the scientific data about the resources and their utilization. Organizing a workshop to develop guidelines for the involvement of the private sector in the development of tourism in BRs. Completion of the joint project of Sudan with Ethiopia for establishment of a cross-border Reserve (Dinder- Al-Atish Reserve). Preparation of a training program for the officers and mangers of BRs on: 1) Effective management and green economy. 2)The role of media in raising awareness of the issues of biosphere reserves. 3)The role of local communities in the transitional zones of BR on the protection of biodiversity. 4)Training on development of management plan for protected areas (eg Hassaniya). 5) Economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services in BRs. Obstacles: - Financial sources for the implementation of the annual action plans of the MAB Committee which contains many activities Challenges: - Increasing the number of biosphere reserves in Sudan updating information through surveys and preparation of nomination filesdevelopment of protected areas in civil conflict zones - Continue the awareness and training programs about the MAB program strategy and implementation of Lima Action Plan throughout the different Sudan States. - Involving many of young people in different states, in the Sudanese MAB Youth Forum and implement its action plans. 7