Promoting the SDGs in Southern Africa through UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
Strengthening capacities, supporting processes for the implementation of new biosphere reserves and fostering regional networking
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The UNESCO-programme „Man and the Biosphere“ (MAB), founded in 1971, is a suitable instrument for the implementation of the global sustainability goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Model regions for sustainable development are established through the nomination of UNESCO-Biosphere Reserves in the context of the programme. Here, nature conservation, socio-economic development, as well as science and education play crucial roles. Balancing different interests helps to achieve sustainable interactions of humans and nature.
In total, UNESCO has included 714 Biosphere Reserves from 129 states in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Thereby, the MAB-programme - through its World Network of Biosphere Reserves - contributes significantly to the conservation of global biodiversity, while at the same time promoting regional development, contributing to poverty reduction and the safeguarding of peace.
Goal 17 of the SDGs requests all member states to form partnerships for implementing the sustainability goals. In this regard the MAB-Programme is particularly useful, since all member states committed themselves to support the Worldwide Network of Biosphere Reserves. BfN and the German commission for UNESCO supported the development of new Biosphere Reserves on the African continent for many years.
This project builds on the results of the BfN-project “Supporting the Implementation of UNESCO’s „Man and the Biosphere“ Programme including the Concept of Biosphere Reserve in Southern Africa” which was carried out from 2013 to 2016.
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The Project and its Goals
The project encompasses the following objectives:
Contribution to the establishment of new Biosphere Reserves
Strengthen the institutional capacities of key actors in the respective countries in Southern Africa for the realisation of the MAB-Programme
Better implementation of the MAB-Programme’s ‘Lima-Action plan’ (2016) in Southern Africa
Further improved cooperation between Germany, the African Biosphere Reserve Network AfriMAB, and individual African partner countries
Regional networking of the MAB-stakeholders in Southern Africa
Activities
The activities and measures in the various partner countries as well as the results of the project are described in detail in this project report.
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Project details
Duration: 12/2017 – 12/2020
Programme: Research and Development
Target Countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Eswatini
Project partners: DUK (German Commission for UNESCO) together with responsible authorities in the target countries; especially the local UNESCO-Commisions, MAB-National Committees and the African Biosphere Reserve Network (AfriMAB).
Project management at BfN
Dr. Bettina Hedden-Dunkhorst, FG I 2.3, International Nature Conservation
