UNESCO Office in Windhoek 38-44 Stein Street, Klein Windhoek, P.O. Box 24519, Windhoek, Namibia
People Biodiversity & Ecology
Promoting research and technical capacity-building for the sound management of natural resources
Biosphere reserves are sites recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, which innovate and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development. The biosphere reserve concept provides a framework to reinforce activities to enhance people’s livelihoods and ensure environmental sustainability, particularly in the African context, where not only the livelihoods of a majority of people rely on a direct interaction with the natural environment, but also a great number of jobs rely on the natural and cultural tourism industry. Biosphere Reserves are therefore an important vehicle to protect the environment while promoting sustainable development.
