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Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme
MAB Governance
The main MAB governing body is the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. It consists of 34 Member States elected by UNESCO's biennial General Conference. In between meetings, the authority of the MAB-ICC is delegated to its Bureau, whose members are nominated from each of UNESCO's geopolitical regions.
The implementation of the MAB programme is guided by the Roadmap 2015-2025, which was adopted by the Member States.
Two bodies provide advice to the MAB Programme:
- The International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves provides scientific and technical advice to UNESCO's Director-General and the MAB-ICC regarding the World Network of Biosphere Reserves,
- The International Support Group (ISG) advises the MAB Secretariat on the implementation of the Madrid Action Plan (MAP) and other relevant aspects of the MAB Programme
Government-appointed MAB National Committees play a fundamental role in the implementation of the MAB Programme. In order to ensure maximum national participation in the international programme and to define and implement its national participation, every Member State is invited to establish a permanent and fully-functioning national committee.
- National Committees, listed by region and country:
Africa | Arab States | Asia and the Pacific | Europe and North America | Latin America and the Caribbean
Go to: International Co-ordinating Council | Bureau | Advisory Committee | International Support Group
International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme
The International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere programme, known as the MAB Council or MAB-ICC, is the main governing body of the MAB Programme. In recent years, the MAB Council has met annually. It's session are usually held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris or hosted by a MAB-ICC Member State.
Each Member State has one vote, but can send as many experts or advisers as it wishes to the Council sessions. UNESCO Member States that are not current members of the MAB Council can send representatives as observers.
UN Agencies such as UNEP, FAO, UNDP, WMO, WHO are invited to participate as observers, as well as representatives of the International Council for Science (ICSU), the International Social Sciences Council (ISSC) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Due to the current Covid-19 health crisis and following the decision of the Bureau of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, the 32nd session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the MAB Programme (MAB-ICC) will take place virtually on 27 and 28 October 2020.
The role of the Council is:
- to guide and supervise the MAB Programme;
- to review the progress made in the implementation of the Programme (cf. Secretariat report and reports of MAB National Committees);
- to recommend research projects to countries and to make proposals on the organization of regional or international cooperation;
- to assess priorities among projects and MAB activities in general;
- to co-ordinate the international cooperation of Member States participating in the MAB Programme;
- to co-ordinate activities with other international scientific programmes; and
- to consult with international non-governmental organizations on scientific or technical questions.
The MAB ICC also decides upon new biosphere reserves and takes note of recommendations on periodic review reports of biosphere reserves.
At its meetings, the Council elects a chairperson and five vice-chairpersons, of whom one functions as a rapporteur; these form the MAB Bureau.
Elections
Thirty-four member States compose the MAB-ICC. They are elected by UNESCO's biennial General Conference. At each ordinary session of the UNESCO General Conference, normally held every two years, half of the Members of the Council end their terms of office and new Council members are elected. The outgoing members are replaced by members belonging to the same regional group. Council members can be re-elected.
Current members of the MAB-ICC
Official documents
The 31th session of the Man and the Biosphere Programme International Co-ordinating Council (MAB-ICC) will be held in Paris, at UNESCO Headquarters from 17 to 21 June 2019.
Final Report
- Documents
- Binder with Working Documents
- SC-19/CONF.231/1 Provisional agenda
- SC-19/CONF.231/2 Provisional annotated agenda
- SC-19/CONF.231/3 Provisional timetable
- SC-19/CONF.231/4 Report of the Secretary of the MAB Programme
- SC-19/CONF.231/5 Reports on actions undertaken by Member States / regions/ regional and thematic MAB Networks in the context of MAB with a focus on the Lima Action Plan and discussion on collaborative and research projects
- SC-19/CONF.231/6 Implementation of the "Process of Excellence and Enhancement of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) as well as Quality Improvement of All Members of the World Network"
- SC-19/CONF.231/7 Periodic Review Reports and Follow-Up Information Received since the last MAB International Coordinating Council (MAB ICC) Meeting
- SC-19/CONF.231/8 Proposals for New Biosphere Reserves and Extensions/ Modifications/ Renaming to Biosphere Reserves that are Part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)
- SC-19/CONF.231/9 Update on the MAB Communication Strategy and Action Plan
- SC-19/CONF.231/10 MAB Young Scientists Awards Scheme
- SC-19/CONF.231/11 Michel Batisse Award for Biosphere Reserve Management
- SC-19/CONF.231/12 Implementation of the Lima Action Plan
- SC-19/CONF.231/13 Technical Guidelines for Biosphere Reserves (TGBR)
- SC-19/CONF.231/14 MAB Youth Activities and MAB Youth Forum 2019
Information Documents
- SC-19/CONF.231/INF.1 Provisional List of Participants – available at the meeting
- SC-19/CONF.231/INF.2 Provisional List of Documents
- SC-19/CONF.231/INF.3 Rules of procedure of the MAB ICC
- SC-19/CONF.231/INF.4 Expert for the Technical Guidelines for Biosphere Reserves (TGBR) Working Group
- SC-19/CONF.231/INF.5 List - TGBR Group
- SC-18/CONF.230/15-rev.2 Final Report of the 30th Session of the International Co-ordinating Council (ICC) of the Man and Biosphere Programme (23-28 July 2018, Palembang, Indonesia)
National, Regional and Thematic Network Reports
Member States, regional and thematic MAB Networks will be given the opportunity to provide brief reports on their activities since the last MAB Council session, with a focus on the implementation of the Lima Action Plan.
29TH SESSION
12-15 June 2017, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
- Working documents
- Final Report
28TH SESSION
18-19 March 2016, Lima, Peru
- Working documents
- Final Report
27TH SESSION
08-12 June 2015, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
- Working documents
- Final Report
26TH SESSION
From10 to 13 June 2014 in Jönköping, East Vättern Landscape Biosphere Reserve, Sweden.
- Working documents
- Final Report
25TH SESSION
From 27 to 30 May 2013, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
- Working documents
- Final Report
24TH SESSION
From 9 to 13 July 2012, UNESCO, Headquarters, Paris, France
- Working documents
- Final Report
- Main Conclusions and Recommendations
23RD SESSION
From 28 June to 1 July 2011, Dresden/Radebeul, Germany
- Working documents
- Final Report
- Main Conclusions and Recommendations
22ND SESSION
From 31 May to 4 June 2010, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
21ST SESSION
From 25 to 29 May 2009, Jeju, Republic of Korea
20TH SESSION
From 5 to 8 February 2008, Madrid, Spain
19TH SESSION
From 23 to 27 October 2006, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
18TH SESSION
From 25 to 29 October 2004, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
17TH SESSION
From 18 to 22 March 2002, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
16TH SESSION
From 6 to 10 November 2000, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
15TH SESSION
From 7 to 11 December 1998, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
14TH SESSION
From 19 to 22 November 1996, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
13TH SESSION
From 12 to 16 June 1995, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
12TH SESSION
From 25 to 29 January 1993, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
11TH SESSION
From 12 to 16 November 1990, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
10TH SESSION
From 14 to 18 November 1988, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
9TH SESSION
From 20 to 25 October 1986, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
8TH SESSION
From 3 to 8 December 1984, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
7TH SESSION
From 30 September to 2 October 1981, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
6TH SESSION
From 19 to 28 November 1979, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
5TH SESSION
From 24 October to 1 November 1977, Vienna, Austria
4TH SESSION
From 18 to 26 November 1975, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
3RD SESSION
From 17 to 29 September 1974, Washington D.C., United States
2ND SESSION
From 10 to 19 April 1973, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
1ST SESSION
From 9 to 19 November 1971, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
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MAB Bureau
The Bureau is composed of a chairman and five vice-chairmen, of which one functions as a rapporteur, representing each of UNESCO's geopolitical regions. The members of the MAB Bureau are elected by the members of the MAB Council.
The composition of the Bureau, as elected at the 30th session of the MAB ICC, is as follows:
Chair: Ms Enny Sudarmonwati, Indonesia (Group IV)
Vice-chairs:
Group II: Estonia
Group III: Honduras
Group V (a): Nigeria
Group V (b): Sudan
Rapporteur: Group I: Sweden (Ms. Johanna MacTaggart)
Government-appointed MAB National Committees play a fundamental role in the implementation of the MAB Programme. In order to ensure maximum national participation in the international programme and to define and implement its national participation, every Member State is invited to establish a permanent and fully-functioning national committee.
- 6th Skype meeting of the Bureau of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme held on 29 July 2020 English | Français
- 4th Skype meeting of the Bureau of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme held on 29 May 2020 English | Français
- Report of the 3nd Skype meeting of the Bureau of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme held on 27 April 2020 English | Français
- Report of the 2nd Skype meeting of the Bureau of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme held on 6 April 2020 English | Français | Español
- Report of the 1st Skype meeting of the Bureau of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme held on 23 March 2020 English | Français
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International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves
The International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves provides scientific and technical advice to the Director-General of UNESCO and the MAB-ICC regarding the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
The Advisory Committee advises them on
- Scientific and technical matters concerning the nomination of new Biosphere Reserves
- Changes and periodic reviews of sites already included in the WNBR, and
- The development, operation and monitoring of the WNBR
in accordance with the Seville Strategy and the Statutory Framework for the WNBR.
The Advisory Committee is composed of twelve members, who are appointed for four years by the UNESCO Director-General, after consultation with the Member States and/or the National Committees for the Man and the Biosphere Programme of the countries concerned.
The members of the Committee are selected for their scientific qualifications and for their experience in promoting and implementing the concept of biosphere reserves.
The next meeting of the Advisory Committee will be held between 17-20 February 2020.
List of Members by Mandate
| Period: 1st Jan. 2020 - 31st Dec. 2023 | Period: 1st Jan. 2019- 31st Dec. 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ms Marja Spierenburg (The Netherlands) | 7 | Mr Christophe Le Page (France) |
| 2 | Ms Vladimira Fabriciusova (Slovakia) | 8 | Ms Lia Rosenberg (Estonia) |
| 3 | Mr Roman Jashenko (Kazakhstan) | 9 | Ms Graciela Pien (Argentina) |
| 4 | Mrs Suk-Kyung Shim (Republic of Korea) | 10 | Ms Sheila Nana Akua Ashong (Ghana) |
| 5 | Mr Clayton Lino (Brazil) | 11 | Ms Salwa Mansour Abdel Hameed (Sudan) |
| 6 | Mr Djafarou Tiomoko (Benin) | 12 | Mr Driss Fassi (Morocco) |
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International Support Group (ISG) to the MAB Programme
The International Support Group (ISG) was set up by the MAB-ICC during its 21st session (Jeju Island Biosphere Reserve, Republic of Korea, May 2009) and is open to the participation of all Member States who have a Delegation at UNESCO Headquarters. It advises the MAB Secretariat on the implementation of the Lima Action Plan (LAP) and other relevant aspects of the MAB Programme. This group meets regularly once or twice per year and the MAB Secretariat provides first-hand information to the Member States.
The 16th ISG meeting will take place in room IV, in UNESCO Headquarters (Paris) on 17 March 2020 from 10h00-12h00.
- Terms of Reference of the International Support Group (ISG)
- Report of the last ISG meeting (26 April 2019) English | French
- 14th ISG meeting (26 April 2019) English | French
- 14th ISG meeting (23 March 2018)
- 13th ISG Meeting (May 2017)
- 12th ISG Meeting (January 2016)
- 11th ISG Meeting (March 2015)
- 10th ISG Meeting (March 2014)
- 9th ISG Meeting (January 2013)
- 8th ISG Meeting (May 2012)
- 7th ISG Meeting (Oct. 2011)
- 6th ISG Meeting (Feb. 2011)
- 5th ISG Meeting (Dec. 2010)
- 4th ISG Meeting (Sept. 2010)
- 3rd ISG Meeting Report (2010)
- 2nd ISG Meeting Report (2010)
- 1st ISG Meeting Report (2009)
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