UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION

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1 SC-17/CONF.229/13 Paris, 6 May 2017 Original: English UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme Twenty-ninth session UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, Room IV (Fontenoy Building) June 2017 ITEM OF 14 THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA: PRESENTATION OF THE PROTOTYPE OF THE OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES RELATED TO THE MAB PROGRAMME AND WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVE (WNBR) 1. At its 27 th session, the International Co-ordinating Council of MAB (MAB-ICC) decided to develop the Operational Guidelines for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves [1] (refer as OP- WNBR hereinafter ) based on a proposal from the MAB Secretariat [2]. As a follow-up of this decision, the MAB Secretariat proposed a preliminary structure of the OP-WNBR to the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves (IACBR) for discussion at its 25 th meeting in January 2016 [3]. 2. An information document, reflecting the IACBR comments and advice on the proposed structure and drafting process of the OP-WNBR, was prepared for the September 2016 session of the MAB Bureau. The MAB Bureau requested the MAB Secretariat to present a prototype of the operational guidelines to the MAB-ICC for approval at its 29 th session. 3. Due to time constraints and heavy workload, the MAB Secretariat could not prepare the prototype for review by the IABCR at its 26 th meeting in January 2017 nor by the MAB Bureau at its March 2017 session as initially asked by the MAB Bureau. 4. This document presents the main features of the OP-WNBR as discussed with MAB Bureau and IABCR and includes two annexes: the provisional table of content of the OP-WNBR (Annex 1) and the terms of reference of the working groups (Annex 2). 5. Title of the document: It is worth noting that the title of the Operational Guidelines remains to be decided by the MAB-ICC. 6. Nature and Objective: The Operational Guidelines for the MAB programme and its World Network of Biosphere reserves (WNBR) (hereinafter referred to as the Operational Guidelines in acronym (OP-WNBR) is a technical tool to complement the Seville Strategy and the Statutory Framework of the WNBR [ 4 ] which helps Member States implementing the Biosphere Reserve [1] The debates on this matter were included in the section XVII of the final MAB Council Report: Note that the title of the Operational Guidelines remains to be decided. [2] [3] [4]

2 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page 2 concept and its global action plan, currently the Lima Action Plan ( ). As such they could constitute more specific guidance or technical recommendations to be implemented, if the MAB Council so agree and desire. 7. The Operational Guidelines will enable Member States and MAB Council to respond more appropriately and timely to the various practical challenges and technical questions encountered in the implementation of the Seville Strategy and the articles of the Statutory Framework of WNBR, especially those related to the functions (Article 3) and the criteria (Article 4). Therefore, the OP- WNBR supports and facilitates the nomination of new Biosphere reserves (Article 5), the periodic review reports (Article 9), the management of biosphere reserves already part of the WNBR, and its regional and thematic subnetworks (Article 8). Providing critical information and clarification on the WNBR, the OP-WNBR fosters the implementation of current (MAB strategy ( ) and the Lima Action Plan ( )) and future Strategies and Action Plans. 8. Format of the OP- WNBR: OP-WNBR is in electronic format and open access web-based document accessible on UNESCO/MAB website. It is a living document composed by a set of modules and items gradually completed gradually as needed. Such an evolutive structure based on independent modules and appendixes would accommodate the future additions and changes of the document by the MAB Council. 9. Drafting process of the OP-WNBR: the drafting process of modules of the OP-WNBR ensures collective contributions from MAB community in particular site practitioners and stakeholders involved with development and biosphere reserve management in order to capture the real experience of the people on the ground and their best examples. As appropriate, items of the OP-WNBR includes relevant examples gathered from the WNBR show casing the wide variety of situations and approaches in individual biosphere reserves as well as the flexibility, creativity and spirit of cooperation of the MAB programme. 10. In support of the MAB Secretariat, working groups will be established on a voluntary basis to develop the content of specific items of the OP-WNBR. It is proposed that the working groups will be established as follows: a. Members States are invited to nominate names of experts to one or several working groups b. The MAB Secretariat will compile the nominations and prepare the list of the membership of the working groups taking into account regional distribution, expertise and gender balance for the adoption of the MAB Bureau. Proposed terms of reference of such working groups are in Annex II of this document. 11. It is proposed that the IABCR reviews the modules/items drafted by the working groups and provides its recommendations to the MAB ICC for its approval. 12. Approval of the content of the OP-WNBR and inclusion of new modules/items: The MAB ICC approves the content of the OP-WNBR. It is subject to revisions and inclusion of new modules/items as per decision of the MAB Council. Every MAB Council session would have on its agenda an item related to the OP-WNBR for further inclusion and/or modification.

3 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page Key users and target groups: The OP-WNBR key users are: a. UNESCO Member States. b. MAB national committees and national focal points. c. National Commissions for UNESCO. d. The International Coordinating Council of the MAB programme (MAB-ICC). e. The International Advisory Committee of Biosphere Reserves (IACBR). f. Site managers, stakeholders and partners in the management of BR at national and international levels. g. MAB Secretariat (article 10) hereinafter referred to as the Secretariat. 14. Prototype: proposed structure and provisional content of the OP-WNBR The prototype is presented in annex II of this document. The proposed structure and content of the OP-WNBR is providing ideas of issues/items to facilitate the MAB Council discussion. They are not final; they will be refined, modified and / or completed as per MAB Council decision. The content of the OP-WNBR will be elaborated by the working groups to be established after the 29 th session. The MAB Secretariat will present the online prototype facility during the 29 th session of the MAB Council which will be accessible on the following link from 6 June The MAB Council is invited: - to decide on the title of the Operational Guidelines; - to examine, discuss and adopt the proposed prototype of the OP-WNBR and its provisional table of content as in Annex 1; - to examine, discuss and adopt the proposed terms of reference of the working group (in annex II) and selection process of the members of the working group ( para 10 above); - to approve the role of the IABCR in the drafting process of the OP-WNBR; - to consider providing voluntary financial support to the deliberations of the working groups.

4 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page 4 ANNEX I: PROTOTYPE OF OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES (OP-WNBR) STRUCTURE AND PROVISIONAL TABLE OF CONTENT ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS I. INTRODUCTION This section presents the purpose of the document, its relationship to the existing documents of Man And Biosphere (MAB) programme and World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WNBR), in particular the Seville Strategy and Statutory Framework of World Network, the MAB Strategy ( ) and Lima action plan ( ). It explains the applicability of the Operational Guidelines for World Network of Biosphere reserves (OP-WNBR), gives clarification on basic concepts and terminologies of MAB programme and WNBR provide references to WNBR related programmes, conventions and institutions. It includes procedure for drafting and making changes in OP-WNBR. NOMINATION OF NEW BR SUPPORT MODULE This section complements the Statutory Framework of the WNBR for new biosphere reserves nomination procedure. It provides useful information about necessary conditions for nomination of new BR as well as practical experiences with preparation of nomination file. It also provides successful examples of nomination files and of common errors to avoid. A. BIOSPHERE RESERVES AS LEARNING SITES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THREE INTEGRATED FUNCTIONS (Article 3 ) A. 1. CONSERVATION - The objective for conservation of the biosphere reserves: how they are defined and by whom? - Various protection instruments and related statutes - How do the core areas respond to the objectives for conservation? - Tools for conservation according to different zones (regulatory versus contractual) - Conservation across entire biosphere reserve A. 2. DEVELOPMENT - What are sustainable development activities and how to define them? - To what extend some activities may be allowed or prohibited in biosphere reserves (polluting industries, mining, etc.?)? - What is the role of core areas for development (ecosystem services, tourism )? - Examples of development activities in biosphere reserves A. 3. LOGISTICAL SUPPORT - Research agenda and partners - MAB research agenda within MAB Strategy Monitoring and survey of biodiversity and observatories especially related to Climate Change - Research linked to management of territory (including prospective), role of scientific

5 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page 5 committees, cooperation with research institutions and universities, training, research facilities - Education and awareness raising: diversify targets and materials - Education for sustainable development - Citizen Science A.4. THE WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES COMPRISING OF EFFECTIVELY FUNCTIONING MODELS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Living examples from the WNBR II B. DESIGNATION CRITERIA OF A BIOSPHERE RESERVE (Article 4) B. 1. SIZE How to determine if a biosphere reserve has the appropriate size to serve the three functions (article 4, item 3 and 4). B. 2. ZONATION - Zonation: a tool for integrated management - Core area: size, degree and type of protection, zonation with/without predefined core/protected area, human use, role for research, monitoring, education and training - Buffer zone: geographical definition (contiguous or surrounding the core area), role vis a vis conservation objectives, regulation of activities and resource uses, role for research and training - Transition area : the transition area should be extended to enhance large areas suitable for approaches such as ecosystem management (Seville Strategy, the vision); geographical definition, level of development, activities (industry, mining, power stations, cities ; should the transition area surround systematically the core areas and buffer zones, or can it be adapted and how, to the geographical context? - Do the external limits of the transition zone have to be defined and according to which rationale? - Specific zonation applications and models under different ecological and socio economic development : incl. cluster BR, estuaries BR, island BRs, archipelago BR, river basin biosphere reserves, mountainous biosphere reserves B. 3. POLICY OR MANAGEMENT PLAN - Integrated management plans or policies for the three functions and covering the entire territory of the BR: standard content - Drafting process: Who should be involved? How to mobilize stakeholders? - Implementation: who should be involved? Budget? Source of funding

6 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page 6 B. 4. GOVERNANCE - Stakeholder mapping - Mechanisms to manage human use and activities in the buffer zones (art 4 item 7 a): regulatory and contractual policies, incentives, co-decision - What is a biosphere reserve style of management? (Seville strategy, the vision); Effective Governance in MAB Strategy (Strategic Area E)). - Authority or mechanism: difference between authority and mechanism, composition, police powers - Institutional mechanisms to manage coordinate and integrate programmes and activities of the BR - Local participation l Biosphere Reserves should include areas where traditional life style and indigenous uses of biodiversity are practiced (including sacred sites) (Seville Strategy, Goal II, 3) - Mechanisms to ensure local participation and techniques for conflict resolutions - Role of traditional and/or local authorities - Examples of local governance within the WNBR B.5. TRANSBOUNDARY BIOSPHERE RESERVES (Pamplona recommendations) This presents the Pamplona recommendations and special features for transboundary BR nomination file AREAS OF COOPERATION GOVERNANCE SUPPORTING AGREEMENTS C. NOMINATION PROCESS AND DESIGNATION PROCEDURE OF A NEW BIOSPHERE RESERVE (Article 5) - How and with whom to initiate a BR nomination - Stakeholders mapping and engagement, - Vision for a territory - Annoted nomination file - Designation procedure / ICC decisions : approval, approval pending, deferred and rejected

7 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page 7 I D. EXTENSION OF EXISTING BIOPHERE RESERVES E. RENAMING OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES BIOSPHERE RESERVES PERIODIC REVIEW REPORTS AND QUALITY CONTROL SUPPORT MODULE This module complements the Statutory Framework about periodic review reports. It provides useful information about critical information and management aspects to report on existing biosphere reserves as well as practical experience with preparation of periodic review file, extension and renaming of existing biosphere reserves. It presents the quality control procedure subsequent to the implementation of the Exit Strategy including the voluntary withdrawal of sites. I A. PERIODIC REVIEW PROCESS AND REPORT (Article 9) I I B. QUALITY CONTROL (subsequent to Exit Strategy and including delisting process) C. VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL PROCESS BIOSPHERE RESERVES MANAGEMENT SUPPORT MODULES This module provides useful information pertaining to specific management issues illustrated with case studies and give access relevant tools. A. MANAGEMENT OF MULTIDESIGNATED SITES B. QUALITY ECONOMIES AND MARKETING, LABELLISATION AND CERTIFICATIOIN OF PRODUCTS C. PROMOTING GREEN ECONOMY D. PRESERVIING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES E. RESTORATION OF ECOSYSTEMS F. COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE WNBR ( MAB Strategy Strategic Action Area D) MAB website MAB and social media Communication tools V G. MAPPING OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES (Shapefiles etc.) COOPERATION AND EXCHANGE This section complements the statutory framework (article 7) and MAB Strategy (Strategic Action Area B & C), provides case studies and examples on cooperation, and exchanges modalities within the WNBR and with other specific partners.

8 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page 8 V. A. REGIONAL NETWORKS V. B. THEMATIC NETWORKS V. C. TWINNINGS V. D. SOUTH-SOUTH AND SOUTH-NORTH-SOUTH COOPERATION V. F. UNESCO CHAIRS AND CATEGORY 2 CENTERS AND OTHER UNESCO RELATED NETWORKS (IHP committees, ANESI ) V. G. RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS V. H. UN CONVENTIONS AND PROTOCOLS I. GLOBAL ACTION PROGRAMME FOR EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT V. J. PRIVATE SECTOR GLOBAL NETWORK SERVICE MODULES A. PROMOTION OF THE WNBR B. CALENDAR OF THE NETWORK ACTIVITIES V C. DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS, NOMINATIONS AND REPORT D. USE OF NAMES AND LOGOS OF UNESCO AND MAB E. CODING SYSTEM OF THE WNBR F. OPEN ACCESS POLICY V FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS UTILIZATION OF MAB LOGO DATES OF SUBMISSION

9 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page 9 ANNEXES Plan d Action de MINSK pour les RBS Seville Strategy and Statutory Framework of the World Network Biosphere Reserves Madrid Action Plan MAB Strategy ( ) Lima Action Plan ( ) Individual Biosphere reserves nomination forms Transboundary Biosphere reserves nomination forms Biosphere reserves periodic review form Control Quality Process (if any) MAB Young Scientist Award application form Michel Batisse Award application form List of MOU and Agreement signed by UNESCO relevant to MAB programme GLOSSARY BIBLIOGRAPHY

10 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page 10 ANNEX II: TERM OF REFERENCE OF WORKING GROUPS 1. At its 27 th session in June 2015, the MAB Council decided to develop the Operational Guidelines for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (referred as OP-WNBR below) based on a proposal from the MAB Secretariat 2. The drafting process of modules of the OP-WNBR ensures collective contributions from MAB community in particular site practitioners and stakeholders involved with development and biosphere reserve management in order to capture the real experience of the people on the ground and their best examples. As appropriate, items of the OP-WNBR includes relevant examples gathered from the WNBR show casing the wide variety of situations and approaches in individual biosphere reserves as well as the flexibility, creativity and spirit of cooperation of the MAB programme. 3. In support of the MAB Secretariat, informal working groups are established on a voluntary basis. 4. Mandate of the WG: to compile and develop the content of specific items of the OPG- WNBR. The MAB ICC defines the list of modules/items to be completed at its sessions. The number of working group will be based on the on the assignment given by the MAB ICC at each of its session. The mandate of a working group is two years. The members could withdraw from the WG, with 3 months prior notification. The replacement should be nominated in the same way as initial nomination. 16. Members of the WG: working groups are established as follows: a. Members States are invited to nominate names of experts to one or several working groups b. The MAB Secretariat will compile the nominations and prepare the list of the membership of the working groups taking into account regional distribution, expertise and gender balance for the adoption of the MAB Bureau. 5. Expertise and qualification required for the WG Members: Experienced researchers, site managers, policy makers, conservation specialists who are familiar with MAB and BR theory and practices, especially Seville Strategy, Statutory Framework, MAB Strategy and LAP Brief bio-data or summary of CV will be made available on MAB Website. 6. Method of work: on-line group work using UNESCO system or another system such Google, and with broad contact and consultation with members of WNBR and MAB NCs. 7. Budget: participation in activities of working groups are expected to be covered by Member States voluntary contributions.

11 SC-17/CONF.229/13 page Secretariat of WG: is provided by the MAB Secretariat, coordinated by Chef of Section for WNBR. 9. Reporting: The work of WG is reported to the MAB Secretary, and through Secretary to MAB Council and its Bureau. 10. Approval of items of OP-WNBR: IABCR reviews the modules/items drafted by the working groups and provides its recommendations to the MAB Council for its approval. With clearance from MAB Bureau, the Secretariat brings forward the draft item in form of MAB-ICC document for consideration by MAB Council.