Abstract
Editorial It is about life: 50 years of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme
The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme celebrates its 50th anniversary. MAB is an intergovernmental scientific programme that continues to be one of the most important UN endeavours, which combines nature preservation and sustainable development, with strong impact across the globe. The MAB Programme has been instrumental in developing the basis within the natural and social sciences for the rational and sustainable use and conservation of the resources of the biosphere. Over five decades, the MAB Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) have repeatedly adapted and modernised, both in terms of content and in terms of governance and structures.
Summary
In 2021, the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme celebrates its 50th anniversary. MAB is an intergovernmental scientific programme that continues to be one of the most important UN endeavours which combine nature preservation and sustainable development, with strong impact across the globe. Having been launched in 1971, this program was the first UN Programme to actively address and thus improve the relationship between nature and human beings. The MAB Programme has been instrumental in developing the basis within the natural and social sciences for the rational and sustainable use and conservation of the resources of the biosphere – from coasts to mountains. Beyond creating and engaging scientific expertise, it successfully implements actions to enable local stakeholders and communities to better manage their natural resources for the well-being of both human populations and the environment.
Over five decades, the MAB Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) have repeatedly adapted and modernised, both in terms of content and in terms of governance and structures. The MAB Programme and the WNBR, for over five decades, have set global standards in incorporating conservation, research, development, learning, practical knowledge and community benefits.
Based on the Seville Strategy and the Statutory Framework, the Madrid Action Plan and the MAB Strategy 2015–2025, followed by the Lima Action Plan 2016–2025, as well as the Exit Strategy/Excellence Process, the MAB Programme is a very modern and flexible structure that integrates practitioners, scientists and governments. Thus, the MAB Programme is able to deliver tangible contributions to the achievement of the goals of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, in response to global and local challenges.