The 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves: A New Vision for the Decade 2016-2025.

The 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves: A New Vision for the Decade 2016-2025. 

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves for Sustainable Development took place from 14 to 17 March in Lima, Peru. It was organized by the Secretariat of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme (MaB), and the Government of Peru. During the same period, on March 18 and 20, the 28th session of the Man and Biosphere Programme International Co-ordinating Council was also held in Lima.

Ms Flavia Shlegel, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, Mr Sergio Guevara, Director of the Man and Biosphere Programme’s International Co-ordinating Council, as well as the representatives of the Government of the Republic of Peru, addressed the opening ceremony, and noted in their speeches the importance and timeliness of the event.

The significance of the creation of new biosphere reserves was suggested during the meeting, and States which have not yet established biosphere reserves were invited  to launch the process shortly. The Lima Declaration and the 2016-2025 Lima Action

Plan for Biosphere Reserves, which will serve as a roadmap for the next ten years were adopted at the conclusion of the Congress.

Counselor of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO Ms Gulnara Aghalarova spoke about the existing nature reserves of Azerbaijan, including those under occupation. She also gave the participants detailed information about the activities of the IDEA Campaign initiated and headed by Ms Leyla Aliyeva.

It should be noted that last year Azerbaijan was elected member of the Man and Biosphere Programme’s International Co-ordinating Council at the 38 th session of the UNESCO General Assembly and, thus, participated at the event for the first time as a member.