News
Enhancing water security through fluvial biosphere reserves
Science plays a critical role in tackling global challenges, such as ensuring water security - a key element for ecosystems, societies, and economies. Addressing such a challenge requires a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to manage and preserve this vital resource effectively. Through its Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, 91麻豆国产精品自拍 adopted a science-based strategy to achieve SDG 6 - Clean water and sanitation.
Biosphere reserves located along rivers provide ideal settings for testing innovative solutions to enhance water security and play a significant role in restoring aquatic ecosystems and managing water resources. UNESCO works to improve governance and promote integrated water management in river-based biosphere reserves across South-East Europe, fostering sustainable water practices and ecosystem restoration.
The MAB Programme was born out of the recognition that humanity and nature are not only interdependent but also mutually beneficial. This principle is never more evident than in the vibrant life given in the corridors of rivers.
On 11 December, the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe in Venice, the Po Grande Biosphere Reserve (ADBPO) and Collina Po Biosphere Reserve (Municipality of Turin) gathered 35 experts (53% of whom were women) at Palazzo Madama, in Turin, Italy, to share knowledge on biosphere reserves. Coming from 13 different countries, the group comprised representatives from 13 biosphere reserves, 3 UNESCO MAB youth representatives and 1 coordinator of the thematic Mediterranean Biosphere Reserve Network.
Exemplary cases of biosphere reserves and their relationship with water were exposed during the workshop. Among them were: Mura Drava Danube Transboundary 5 - country Biosphere Reserve; Po Grande Biosphere Reserve (Italy); Lower Saxony Part of Flusslandschaft Elbe Biosphere Reserve (Germany); Srebarna Biosphere Reserve (Bulgaria); Asterousia Biosphere Reserve (Greece); and, Lower Prut Biosphere Reserve (Republic of Moldova).
Fostering cooperation among MAB National Committees and river-based Biosphere Reserves in the South-East European region could serve as a significant platform for sharing experiences and addressing common challenges.
Highlighting their unique experiences, challenges, and future plans, the case studies sparked dynamic exchanges which were further explored through a world caf茅 session. Discussions led to recommendations to strengthen support for biosphere reserves.
A key focus was enhancing the collaboration between MAB National Committees, Focal Points and biosphere reserve site managers, particularly in nurturing the potential network of fluvial biosphere reserves. Participants also emphasised the importance of reinforcing the management of river-based biosphere reserves through local communities.
Improving communication with communities living along the river-based biosphere reserves was identified as key to engaging local youth, volunteers, producers and entrepreneurs. Furthermore, enhancing water governance in river basin biosphere reserves and neighbouring municipalities, regions, and countries, was identified as a crucial step towards sustainable management.
A visit to the exhibition 鈥淐hange! Yesterday, today, tomorrow. The Po River鈥 was organised to conclude the workshop. This was a unique opportunity to showcase the collaborative efforts of the 5 Italian Biosphere Reserves along the Po River, rooted in their Memorandum of Understanding signed this summer.
The MAB programme can help us keep the citizen along the river, avoiding abandoning the villages and applying a different development based on environment, culture and sustainability.
