MAB Full Form

Introduction

The MAB program refers to a scientific program organized through intergovernmental collaboration which is designed for establishing a scientific foundation for improving relationships with their environments. It integrates natural and social sciences for improving incomes and protecting ecosystems. It also promotes new and creative approaches for developing the economy in a way that is socio-culturally suitable and environmentally supportable.

The program’s VISION is to create a world in which people are aware of their shared future and their conversations with the planet and actively collaborate to build flourishing harmony in the society with the biosphere. This vision is served by the MAB program and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves known WNBR through the biosphere reserves and beyond.

What is MAB? 

According to 2019 counting, The World Network of Biosphere Reserves has 701 sites in 124 countries around the world, including 20 Transboundary sites, such as, 

• Europe and North America have 292 sites in 37 countries

• Asia and the Pacific has 152 sites in 24 countries

• Latin America and the Caribbean have 130 sites in 21 countries

• Africa has 79 sites in 28 countries 

• The Arab States has 33 sites in 12 countries  

The MAB Program provides a basis within the social sciences and natural environment for the sustainable and rational use and conservation of the biosphere’s resources and the improvement of people’s overall relationship with their environment. It forecasts the effects of today’s actions on the world of tomorrow by increasing people’s ability to manage natural resources efficiently for the well-being of both human societies and the environment. National governments nominate biosphere reserves, which are managed through state sovereign jurisdiction in their natural habitat. The biosphere reserve is acknowledged on a global scale.

The three interconnected zones of biosphere reserves aim at fulfilling three mutually reinforcing functionalities that are listed below:

• The core areas consist of a protected area ecosystem that helps to preserve landscapes, species, ecosystems, and genetically diversified living beings

• The buffer zone is surrounded by the core zones and is, hence, utilized for activities that promote environmental sustainability, such as monitoring, scientific research, training, and others

• The transition zone is the outer layer of the biosphere reserve in which most activities are permitted, fostering socio-cultural, environmental, sustainable, and human development

What is the vision and mission of MAB?

MAB foresaw a world in which people are aware of their shared future and interactions with our planet and work collaboratively and responsibly to build flourishing societies in harmony with the biosphere. This vision is served by the MAB Program and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves both inside and outside of biosphere reserves.

The mission period of the MAB program is from 2015 to 2025 is, followed by,

• Strengthen and develop sustainable development models in the WNBR

• Distribute experiences and lessons learned, hence facilitating global adoption and application of such models

• Promote accountability and resilience in institutions, as well as analysis and high-quality management, policies, and strategies for sustainable development and planning

• Assisting the Member States and stakeholders in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals as soon as possible by utilizing WNBR experiences, particularly in exploring technologies, testing policies, and innovations for the sustainable management of biodiversity and natural resources and adaptation and mitigation to climate change

How does MAB work?

The intergovernmental structure of UNESCO provides a framework for MAB to assist national governments in designing and implementing training and research programs by providing technical support and scientifically proven advice. Participating countries form MAB National Councils to achieve maximum national engagement in worldwide programs through significant implementation of the country’s activities. MAB is currently run by 158 National Committees composed of UNESCO’s 195 Member States along with nine Associate Member States.

 The International Coordinating Council, the MAB program’s major governing figure, sets the agenda. The MAB committee comprises not more than 34 Members chosen through the General Conference organized by UNESCO. The committee chooses one chairman and five vice-chairmen from different UNESCO geopolitical members, one of whom is a rapporteur. The bureau of MAB is made up of these individuals.

 The secretariat is based in UNESCO’s Ecological and Earth Sciences Division. Its employees have expertise in a wide range of fields. It collaborates in a close-knit way with the MAB program’s field offices worldwide to coordinate its work at the nationwide and regional levels.

MAB is supported by UNESCO’s regular budget and funds-in-trust provided by joint and multifaceted sources, Member States, and additional-financial funds provided by the private sector, countries, and others. The activities connected to MAB are funded at the national level. The program can provide seed subsidies to countries to help them develop projects or secure suitable partnership contributions.

Conclusion

The Man and the Biosphere Program, or MAB, is an intergovernmental scientific program launched by UNESCO in 1971 to establish a scientific foundation for improving human-environment relationships.

MAB’s work is fully engaged with the international development agenda, particularly the Sustainable development goals and Post-2015 Development Agenda, and addresses challenges related to scientific, ecologic, sociocultural, and development issues in diverse ecosystems ranging from mountain regions to marine, island, and coastal areas; from tropical forests to urban areas and drylands.