Origin
How it works
Network
        Challenge      MissionsIssues and the future
The history of the "Man and the Biosphere" (MAB) idea can be summarised by quoting a few dates:
   
 

1971: The MAB Program succeeds the International Biological Program.

1974: UNESCO and the UN Environment Program (UNEP) join forces and for the first time decide to discuss designating specific types of zone, core, buffer and transition, in interested territories.

1976: The first biosphere reserves are designated but only partially apply the zoning principles defined at the 1974 meeting. Only areas intended for research are protected. Zones where development is recommended have not yet come into being. Thus no action was taken to promote development that takes the resources available into account.

1976-1982: New reserves are designated without applying the zoning system. The main objective remains research.

1984: An action plan is adopted jointly with UNEP at the Minsk Congress, and a catalogue of all that can be done in a biosphere reserve is drawn up. UNEP does propose to help finance the action plan however.

 

© UNESCO


1985: The UN Secretariat sets up a Coordinating Committee for the Biosphere Reserves consisting of people familiar with the concept. UNESCO is not supported by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCP) or UNEP who merely present the program without pressing for its adoption. UNESCO enters stormy waters with the withdrawal of the USA and Great Britain.

1992: Year of the Rio Conference which approves the Convention on Biological Diversity and sustainable development. Protected areas under the convention are cited without mentioning biosphere reserves. It is even said that biosphere reserves do not exist.

1995: Seville is a major turning point. The principles that were raised in 1974 and 1984 are approved this time. A legal framework is drawn up for the network of biosphere reserves. The MAB Program is thus recognised in the diplomatic field. The framework provides the legal basis and orientations to be followed by a biosphere reserve and the network as a whole (the only existing world-wide network).

Challenge
Missions
Issues and the future