Update Report For the 12 th Consultation Meeting of the International Support Group for the MAB Progamme (ISG-MAB)

Transcription

1 Update Report For the 12 th Consultation Meeting of the International Support Group for the MAB Progamme (ISG-MAB) Qunli Han Secretary, Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme UNESCO Headquarters 13 January 2016 From 10 to 12:30 a.m.

2 Provisional Agenda Item 2: 1. Progress and achievements 2. New context under Agenda 2030 and way forward

3 1. Progress and achievements

4 The 38 th Session of UNESCO General Conference approved MAB Strategy Ref: The MAB Strategy was prepared since 2013 and submitted by the decision of the 27 th session of MAB ICC to the General Conference. The approval of the MAB Strategy was accompanied by a strong Draft Resolution (ref. 38 C/COM SC/DR.1) of 27 countries.

5 27 th Session of the MAB-ICC: Took place at the UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, from 8 to 12 June 2015 Some 250 participants were from: 32 Member States of the ICC 34 observer delegations including International Social Sciences Council, UNEP-WCMC, private sectors and NGOs.

6 New Biosphere Reserves 20 new BRs from 12 countries were approved 1 extension: Dublin Bay BR, Ireland 1 new country in WNBR: Myanmar

7 The Gouritz Cluster BR, South Africa: 3,187,892 hectares Three biodiversity hotspots converge with great many endemic plant species. A migratory route for large mammals such as the leopard and nursery for marine species. Critical for water resources. With over 200,000 inhabitants, the area is facing deep rooted socio-economic challenges, including youth unemployment and poverty.

8 Gouritz Cluster South Africa 3,187,892 ha

9 Inlay Lake BR, Myanmar: 489,721 ha 1st BR in Myanmar, situated in Southern Shan State. A wetland with rich and diverse flora and fauna species, nesting place for the globally endangered Sarus crane (Grus antigone). Local inhabitants have adapted their lifestyle to their environment: floating island agriculture

10 The Meseta Iberica TBR of Spain/Portugal - 1,132,606 ha Provinces of Salamanca and Zamora in Spain and Terra Quente and Fria in Portugal. Over 300,000 people live in this site, which also includes built heritage dating back to Roman times and the Middle Ages. Many flagship species: the black stork (Ciconia nigra), Egyptian vulture (Neophron pernocpterus), Bonelli s eagle (Aquila fasciata), Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), European otter (Lutra lutra), and Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus).

11 Meseta Iberica TBR Spain/Portugal

12 Exit Strategy implementation Main objective: improve the credibility and the quality of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It concerns 262 sites in 74 countries The Secretariat had sent 41 letters to 41 countries for sites which have never submitted a Periodic Review report and 14 letters to 14 countries for sites which never replied to MAB ICC recommendations. 17 letters were sent as the first reminder for the countries which did not reply. 43 letters were sent to 43 countries that need to send a report by the end of 2015 to demonstrate that the site meets the criteria,

13 Periodic review reports: 27 th session of MAB-ICC examined 41 periodic review reports as well as 30 follow-up reports following the recommendations of the previous MAB ICC sessions. This included 21 replies from countries to the letters sent by the MAB Secretariat for the implementation of the Exit Strategy. 573 periodic review reports have been submitted so far.

14 UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation Laureates: F. A. Kalesnik, H. Sirolli and L. Iribarren of the Wetlands Ecology Research Group of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It recognize the laureates research on a wide range of ecological aspects of wetland ecosystems on different spatial and temporal scales in the Delta del Paraná, and for their critically valuable socio-environmental studies and environmental education and training initiatives.

15 MAB regional meetings: EuroMAB 2015 in Haapsalu, Estonia, May th meeting of EABRN in at the Shiga Highland Biosphere Reserve in Japan 6-9 October th meeting of the IberoMAB, at Castellet I la Gornal, Barcelona, Spain, October The 4 th Session of the General Assembly of AfriMAB in Accra, Ghana November 2015.

16 2 nd MAB Category II Center ERAIFT approved by 38 th GC!

17 Management Manual for African BRs How BRs balance nature conservation with socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. How to address and manage local conflicts between stakeholders, how to share benefits with communities How to elaborate a management plan. A cooperation between German NatCom for UNESCO and AfriMAB Bureau, ArabMAB and UNESCO MAB Secretariat. Supported by BfN and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).

18 Organized by the MAB National Committees of France and Germany at Vosges du Nord Biosphere Reserve, with support from MAB Secretariat and UNESCO Venice Office Main topic on the Management of Transboundary Biosphere Reserves: Instruments, methods, and governance

19 inspire a positive future by connecting people and nature today UNESCO MAB Brand & Comunications Project

20 Key features of project approach Develop a simple, powerful, relevant and consistent way to tell the Biosphere Reserve story around the world Empower people across the network to engage their audiences locally and effectively Co-create the necessary tools with the network, for the network Create the conditions for building a movement that positions the MAB network as a category source for sustainable development

21 DUBLIN BAY NIAGARA ESCARPMENT URDAIBAI ESTONIA PARIS BASSIN DE LA DORDOGNE Phase 1 The journey to EuroMAB in Estonia, May Testing with a range of languages, ecosystems, governance structures in Europe.

22 MAB Survey on Biosphere Reserves and Climate Change - October 2015 A large majority (77%) confirmed that changes had been observed in their BR which could be attributed to climate change. Most of the BR mention seasonal changes such as shorter winters and longer periods of drought. 60% confirmed that they are undertaking efforts to monitor climate change. Only 38% of the reserves are taking or plan to undertake climate change adaptation efforts. 49% stated that they are making efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their biosphere reserve.

23 Enhancing coastal and island management in Latin America: BRESEP Financed by the Flemish Government of Belgium. Main goals are to: create and strengthen existing BR in coastal areas and islands of the eastern South Pacific in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Peru; promote BR as tools for innovative projects to bring added value to local socio-economic activities. First outcomes: Chile: extension of the Juan Fernandez BR to include the marine area. Peru: extension of the Noreste BR to include the mangroves of Tumbes. Ecuador: extension of the Galapagos BR to include the marine area and a new BR in the Gulf of Guayaquil. Colombia: will explore the possibilities of establishing a BR in the Pacific coast. Panama: extension of the Darien BR to cover a marine and coastal area.

24 MAB France presented the French Biosphere Reserves Trophies - September 21, 2016 Rewarded for citizen heros - original initiatives carried out by local actors in the field of sustainable development in French BRs. Seven BR laurates: Marais Audomarois, Cévennes, Bassin de la Dordogne, Fontainebleau et Gâtinais, Archipel de Guadeloupe, îles et mer d Iroise et Luberon Lure Promote the exchanges and partnerships between biosphere reserves and local actors.

25 MAB-BIRUP workshop Promoting Green Economies in BRs, Dec 2016 Certification Branding Labelling

26 Communication and visibility: New map of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in English, French, Spanish and German MAB brochure in the 6 UN languages. Web, Facebook, Twitter also WeChat on latest activities of WNBR. facebook.com/manandbiosphere

27 MAB Strategy Group Lima Action Plan for MAB and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves Drafting process coordinated by the MAB Strategy Group Second draft open for comments until 11 Jan 2016 Final draft to be ready on 17 Feb 2016 To be adopted at Lima Congress and 28 th MAB ICCC

28 22 nd session of the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves (IACBR) January 2016

29 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves