UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

09/02/2024 | News release | Archived content

UNESCO boosts resilience and strengthens collaboration between Amazon Biosphere Reserves

The Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project, supported by LVMH, enters its fourth year of implementation. In order to assess progress and adjust project strategies, MAB focal points, partners, managers, and implementers met in Pilcopata, Cusco, Peru. This meeting strengthened the collaboration and communication between the 8 Reserves, allowing the sharing of significant progress achieved by the project and its Scientific Committee.

During the meeting, advances were discussed in the generation of data and scientific evidence for the management of the Reserves, strategies for the prevention and management of fires, and the decisive role of the brands of each Reserve in the promotion and commercialisation of sustainable local products such as essential oils, honey, craft beer, etc. In addition, the planning of the final phase of the project was initiated, focusing on sustainability, transfer of responsibilities, and conclusion of activities.

'The inclusion of a diversity of actors and the visibility of the biosphere reserves on the map underline the importance of the project for the conservation of the Amazon and the strengthening of all the actors involved,' said John Florez, Head of Manu National Park.

UNESCO / Angie Falcon

The importance of connection and collaboration between Amazon Biosphere Reserves was also highlighted as a key strategy to improve resilience and contribute to biodiversity conservation. The exchange of ideas and experiences between these Reserves strengthens their capacity to face threats such as the expansion of unsustainable or illegal activities, promoting balanced development between humans and nature.

In this sense, Hans Thulstrup, Chief of Section for MAB Networking, highlighted that '... by sharing ideas and experiences, reserves are empowered to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development. Interaction and working together are essential to achieve these goals, and the progress made in this project is a source of great satisfaction.'

The meeting highlighted the inclusive approach of the biosphere reserve model and the role of indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as youth and women, as key actors in governance spaces. The participation of these groups is essential for effective governance and management of the reserves, and the consolidation of successful ventures that promote the well-being of populations and sustainable development.

UNESCO / Angie Falcon

'Indigenous people are a key stakeholder for the conservation of Biosphere Reserves. I encourage this group to support public policies and to keep dreaming because in a couple of years the Biosphere Reserves will be a great power,' said Tonny Martínez, Cornesha representative of the Oxapampa - Asháninka - Yánesha Biosphere Reserve (BIOAY - for its acronym in Spanish).

The meeting also served to highlight the importance of exploring and sharing innovative development models that can serve other Biosphere Reserves.

In this context, Angel Pineda from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador commented, 'Learning about different experiences from other localities allows us to learn from their mistakes, replicate their good practices, and helps us to have a vision for the future of what we want for our Biosphere Reserves.'

UNESCO / Angie Falcon

The participants of the III Regional Meeting of the Amazon Project committed to continue strengthening participatory and pluralistic governance, the formation and/or consolidation of national MAB committees, local capacities and entrepreneurship, and scientific cooperation.

'The project is generating multiple tools and undertakings in crucial areas such as governance, fire management, data and knowledge collection, as well as environmental education initiatives with children. In addition, a solid scientific base is being built through a geospatial platform that provides a deeper understanding of forests and other ecological aspects,' concluded Guiomar Alonso, UNESCO Representative in Peru.

About the Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project

The Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project, known as the Amazon Project, is funded by LVMH and started its activities in 2021. It aims to support the long-term resilience of Amazon biosphere reserves by jointly developing integrated landscape management models to address pressures and opportunities for the long-term sustainability of biosphere reserves, thereby improving their governance, their resilience to climate change, and reducing biodiversity loss in the Amazon Basin.

In Peru, the Amazon Project is being implemented in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, located in Cusco and Madre de Dios, and in the Oxapampa - Asháninka - Yánesha Biosphere Reserve (BIOAY), located in Pasco.

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