Why this World Congress?
The aim of this Congress is to readjust our action by taking stock of the past. The different sites of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves can be reference sites for sustainable development; sites where the management of natural resources helps fight poverty. That supposes UNESCO and Governments adopt a common approach. It is also important to take into account the opinion of the site managers, who know what difficulties are involved in the projects, but also how they can solve them and give a fresh impetus to work in the field.
What must be done for the reserves to remain models of sustainable development?
We have organized a wider consultation between scientists, policy makers, politicians, researchers and field workers so that, together, we agree on an action plan for biosphere reserves implemented and evaluated over time. But first the proposed reforms must be adopted so that the MAB programme continues to play the role of trigger. The programme must keep the scientific initiative in environment evaluation and take into account the evolution of new themes such as climate change of the fight against poverty. The MAB programme which already acts in the area of prevention, must take into account the current situation of the planet which is threatened by the harmful effects on environment of human activity, by climate change, by all the damages we know. We must play an active role in all these issues.
*The five vice-presidents are the representatives of Lebanon (Arab States), Republic of Korea (Asia), the Russian Federation, Spain (Europe and North America) and Argentina (Latin America and Caribbean)