2018-08-07 P&E Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 3 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve 10 Year Periodic Review

                                                                 Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




               Annex III to the Biosphere Reserve Periodic Review, January 2013 –
                       The Statutory Framework of the World Network of BRs

Introduction

Within UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, biosphere reserves are established to
promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere. Biosphere
reserves are designated by the International Co-ordinating Council of the MAB Programme, at the
request of the State concerned. Biosphere reserves, each of which remains under the sole sovereignty
of the State where it is situated and thereby submitted to State legislation only, form a World Network in
which participation by the States is voluntary.

The present Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves has been formulated
with the objectives of enhancing the effectiveness of individual biosphere reserves and strengthening
common understanding, communication and co-operation at regional and international levels.

This Statutory Framework is intended to contribute to the widespread recognition of biosphere reserves
and to encourage and promote good working examples. The delisting procedure foreseen should be
considered as an exception to this basically positive approach, and should be applied only after careful
examination, paying due respect to the cultural and socio-economic situation of the country, and after
consulting the government concerned.

The text provides for the designation, support and promotion of biosphere reserves, while taking
account of the diversity of national and local situations. States are encouraged to elaborate and
implement national criteria for biosphere reserves which take into account the special conditions of the
State concerned.

Article 1 - Definition
Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof,
which are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO's programme on Man and the
Biosphere (MAB), in accordance with the present Statutory Framework.

Article 2 - World Network of Biosphere Reserves
1.     Biosphere reserves form a worldwide network, known as the World Network of Biosphere
       Reserves, hereafter called the Network.
2.     The Network constitutes a tool for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use
       of its components, thus contributing to the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity
       and other pertinent conventions and instruments.
3.     Individual biosphere reserves remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the States where they
       are situated. Under the present Statutory Framework, States take the measures which they deem
       necessary according to their national legislation.

Article 3 - Functions
In combining the three functions below, biosphere reserves should strive to be sites of excellence to
explore and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development on a regional scale:
(i)    conservation - contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic
       variation;
(ii)   development - foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically
       sustainable;
(iii)  logistic support - support for demonstration projects, environmental education and training,
       research and monitoring related to local, regional, national and global issues of conservation and
       sustainable development.

Article 4 - Criteria
General criteria for an area to be qualified for designation as a biosphere reserve:
1.     It should encompass a mosaic of ecological systems representative of major biogeographic
       regions, including a gradation of human interventions.
2.     It should be of significance for biological diversity conservation.
3.     It should provide an opportunity to explore and demonstrate approaches to sustainable
       development on a regional scale.



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