Launched in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.
MAB combines the natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.
The MaB Program focuses its activities on the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, promoting the exchange of knowledge between reserves, research and monitoring, education, training and decision-making participatory approach.
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves currently counts 669 sites in 120 countries all over the world, including 16 transboundary sites.