People, Biodiversity and Ecology

Introduction

• © UNESCO Jakarta/Riza Marlon

UNESCO has two global means of protecting natural sites and dealing with environmental issues; the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, with at its core the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and the World Heritage Convention.

There are currently 531 Biosphere Reserves in 105 countries worldwide. The World Heritage List holds 174 Natural World Heritages and 25 mixed natural and cultural properties.

Environmental Sciences approach to sustainable development is characterized by long-term commitments to site conservation, development of broad-based partnerships and interdisciplinary cooperation, enhanced exchange of scientific knowledge and information, and building a strong relationship with local peoples, especially in natural World Heritage and Biosphere Reserves properties.

UNESCO Office, Jakarta has also been working on broader environmental issues such as eco-disasters, climate change, desertification, island ecosystems, the linkages between biological and cultural diversity and other topics relevant to the Asia and the Pacific region.

The activities of Environmental Sciences of UNESCO Jakarta have moreover demonstrated the relevance of UNESCO’s programmes in pursuing the Millennium Development Goals in the region, particularly MDG 7 - “Ensure environmental sustainability”.