the Delegations' Side-Event and Engagement during the Annual Meeting of the MAB-ICC
The UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council for the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC), convened its annual meeting in Agadir, Morocco, 1-5 July.
Denmark is - since November 2023 - member of the Councils, which counts 34 members.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay opened the meeting with a powerful message, stressing the importance of the MAB program in tackling global environmental challenges: "You have gold in your hands. This is a great responsibility"
Present in Agadir from the Danish Delegation, was Malene Nielsen Mansour, Deputy at the Permanent Delegation of Denmark to UNESCO, as well as the Danish representative in MAB-ICC, Mads Randbøll Wolff from the Danish UNESCO National Commission.
The council meeting featured a packed agenda of seminars, formal discussions, working groups, evening side-events, and an excursion to the surrounding UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Discussions centered on strategic initiatives and policies that will guide collaboration on UNESCO biosphere reserves over the next 5-10 years, with a strong focus on how the global network of 759 biosphere reserves, in 136 countries, can contribute to international agreements like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Agreement.
The council addressed several key topics, including the management of existing UNESCO biosphere reserves and the designation of 11 new biosphere reserves.
on the different agenda items, Denmark raised a number of points, namely...
On UNESCO’s activities and lessons learned, Denmark highlighted the impact of the war in Ukraine on its biosphere reserves, delivering a statement on behalf of 39 member states.
On the MAB’s contribution to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Denmark emphasized the crucial role biosphere reserves play in biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Relevant Danish initiatives and activities were highlighted as well as a new report that explores local action and how the Nordic UNESCO biosphere reserves can contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework. In the statement, the Danish position on the important relation between the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the target 3 “Other Effective Area-Based Conversation Measures”, COP 16 and UNESCO’s action was highlighted.
On youth engagement in MAB, a youth report, including forward-looking recommendations, developed and written by youth representatives, was presented to the council. Denmark expressed support of the crucial role played by youth in the successful implementation of the programme and the importance of creating enabling conditions for their engagement.
On the development of a Global Database on UNESCO nature sites, the Secretariat presented its work on the development of a digital database, which will provide access to environmental information and data about UNESCO’s biosphere reserves. For instance, the database will demonstrate the different biospheres reserves’ contributions to global agreements. In light of the Danish focus on the role played by journalists, scientists and artists when it comes to access to information, Denmark stressed the necessity of accessible, verified information on biodiversity and climate in order to address the triple planetary crisis. Highlighting that the database should promote the dissemination and anchoring of knowledge and research, strengthening the access to reliable data for constructive solution-oriented journalism.
On the preparations for the 2025 World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, taking place in Hangzhou, China, the Danish team focused on the strategic directions for the post-2025 era and Strategy of the MAB programme, to be adopted at the Congress. Notably the importance of strengthening partnerships with journalists, scientists and artists. Denmark highlighted their important informing role, which is more relevant than ever, and UNESCO’s normative instruments to address this.
On National reporting on activities and challenges, member states discussed central points highlighted in their national reports. Denmark discussed efforts and future plans, including Nordic-Baltic Conference; Report on local actions to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; and the initiative 'Critical Roles of Scientists, Journalists and Artists in Tackling the Triple Planetary Crisis".
Side-event on "stories from biosphere reserves: the critical roles of scientists, journalists and artists"
Denmark hosted a side-event titled "Stories from Biosphere Reserves: The Critical Roles of Scientists, Journalists, and Artists".
The event focused on how efforts to protect the natural world and critical ecosystems are crucial for tackling the triple planetary crisis. However, massive spread of mis- and disinformation is creating confusion and harming progress on many aspects of environmental work. With UNESCO nature sites - including the Global Network of 759 Biosphere Reserves - shedding light on environmental issues and demonstrating solutions, momentum is building for the 'silent biodiversity crisis' to take centre stage, alongside the escalating climate crisis.
As the UN agency with the mandate to promote the free flow of ideas, UNESCO is taking important steps to build an information system, which seeks to provide public access to scientific knowledge on biodiversity. At the same time, UNESCO has normative instruments that protect and promote the critical role of scientific researchers, journalists and artists, providing guidance on how to create enabling environments for these professional groups to do their job of informing the public.
Pooling these UNESCO tools together provides new opportunities for building strong information ecosystems, raising public awareness about facts and knowledge on risks and opportunities related to biodiversity and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. As the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) was set to discuss future actions and develop the post-2025 Strategy, participants at the Danish side-event explored existing UNESCO tools and efforts and pointed out new strategic directions.
The Delegation invited a panel of experts, namely:
Antonio Abreu, UNESCO Director from the Natural Science Sector
Hans Thulstrup from the UNESCO MAB Secretariat
Hafsa Mekouar from the Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO Rabat Office.
Tonderai Makoni, MAB Expert from South Africa
Fernanda Rollo, Professor and MAB Expert from Portugal
Barbara Engels, MAB Expert from Germany
denmark's biosphere reserve
The council reviewed periodic reports from biosphere reserves across 37 member countries, noting varying levels of compliance with the UNESCO criteria. Denmark's Møns Klint Biosphere Reserve, designated in 2017, is expected to undergo its first periodic review in 2027.
Concerning the management of the Møns Klint Biosphere Reserve, a secretariat has been established to manage the site, and a Strategy has been adopted by the municipality. Further, an ambassador network of volunteers and a business network for companies have also been established to encourage all stakeholders to work together.
conclusion
The annual MAB council meeting reinforced the importance of global cooperation in managing biosphere reserves, and the important role these can play in addressing environmental challenges. Denmark as a new council member, is committed to participate actively and contribute to implementing, to the fullest, the MAB Programme, and leveraging UNESCO’s instruments to foster sustainable development and tackle the triple planetary crisis.