World Network of Biosphere Reserves
The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves covers internationally designated protected areas, each known as biosphere reserves, that are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature.
Mission
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves of the MAB Programme consists of a dynamic and interactive network of sites. It works to foster the harmonious integration of people and nature for sustainable development through participatory dialogue, knowledge sharing, poverty reduction, human well-being improvements, respect for cultural values and by improving society's ability to cope with climate change. It promotes north–south and South-South collaboration and represents a unique tool for international cooperation through the exchange of experiences and know-how, capacity-building and the promotion of best practices.The network
total membership had reached 686 biosphere reserves in 122 countries occurring in all regions of the world. Myanmar had its first biosphere reserve inscribed in 2015. This already takes into account some biosphere reserves that have been withdrawn or revised through the years, as the program's focus has shifted from simple protection of nature to areas displaying close interaction between man and environment.| UNESCO region | Number of biosphere reserves | Number of countries |
| African States | 79 | 28 |
| Arab States | 331 | 12 |
| Asia and the Pacific | 152 | 24 |
| Europe and North America | 292 | 37 |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | 130 | 21 |
1 Includes the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean, shared between Morocco and Spain
* Source - UNESCO Directory of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, 2019
Criteria and periodic review process
Article 4 of the defines the criteria for Biosphere Reserves, including- it should encompass a mosaic of ecological systems representative of major bio geographical regions, including a graduation of human interventions
- It should be of significance for biological diversity conservation
- It should provide an opportunity to explore and demonstrate approaches to sustainable development on a regional scale
- It should have an appropriate size to fulfill the three functions of biosphere reserves
- It should include these functions through appropriate zonation, recognizing core, buffer, and outer transition zones.
Withdrawals
Article 9 of the Statutory Framework gives a state the right to remove a biosphere reserve under its jurisdiction from the network., a total of 45 sites had been withdrawn from the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by 9 countries.
Some reserves have been withdrawn after they no longer met newer, stricter criteria for reserves, for example on zonation or area size.
In June 2017, during the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme meeting in Paris, the United States has withdrawn 17 sites from the program.