The World’s Biospheres
759 biosphere reserves in 136 countries around the world
With currently 759 biosphere reserves, UNESCO is strengthening sustainable development in 136 countries around the world, including 22 transboundary sites, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations Agenda 2030.
Biosphere reserves promote solutions that reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use by people. They serve as models for sustainable development in a variety of environmental, social and economic contexts. Worldwide, more than 275 million people live in biosphere reserves, representing more than 3% of the world’s population.
UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, the basis for biosphere reserves and their recognition, was launched in 1970. It was the first global programme to address the relationship between man and the environment in a comprehensive way, using multidisciplinary research approaches. The first biosphere reserve was designated by UNESCO in 1978.
The MAB programme and the work of biosphere reserves are underpinned by key strategies such as the 1995 Seville Strategy, the 2015-2025 MAB Strategy, the 2016 Lima Action Plan and the 2021 Excellence Process.
“For more than half a century, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere programme has been at the forefront of a global effort to rethink the relationship between humankind and the Earth.”
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
UNESCO’s MAB programme links biosphere reserves at national, regional and international levels to promote biodiversity and sustainable development. The dynamic and interactive World Network of Biosphere Reserves brings together different stakeholders from different regions and emphasises the exchange of knowledge and experience as well as participatory dialogue between biosphere reserve stakeholders. The aim is to develop common approaches that enable societies to play an active role in sustainable change, effectively combat poverty and promote respect for cultural values.
World Congresses bringing together all biosphere reserves are organised at longer intervals. There are also many regional networks within the global network, such as the EuroMAB network of biosphere reserves in Europe and North America, or the AfriMAB network of African biosphere reserves.
REGIONAL AND THEMATIC NETWORKS
Building international, regional, sub-regional and ecosystem-specific cooperation is a key element of the MAB programme, supported by its regional and thematic networks of biosphere reserves.
Regional and interregional networks
Regional and sub-regional networks play a key role in the exchange of information and experience at regional level in the following regions:
Africa – 93 sites in 33 countries
Arabs States – 36 sites in 14 countries
Asia and the Pacific -176 sites in 24 countries
Europe and North America – 309 sites in 41 countries
Latin America and Caribbean – 134 sites in 22 countries
Ecosystem networks
Ecosystem and thematic networks provide important information on sustainable practices and options for mitigating and adapting to climate change. These include research networks, capacity-building activities and educational collaborations focusing on:
Marine, coastal and island areas