The 33rd Session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) was held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 13th to 17th September, 2021. This is the first time that the MAB-ICC is held in Africa and hosted by Nigeria.
The Session had a total of 549 participants including the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Members of the MAB Council elected at the 39th and 40th Sessions of UNESCO’s General Conference, United Nations agencies, NGOs, Youth and Women associations, the Scientific Community, the Representative of the Nigerian Government as well as other dignitaries.
An Opening Ceremony was held to kickstart the Session at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, on Monday 13th September, 2021. Some of the representatives of the Nigerian Government were: the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha, who represented the Nigerian President – H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR; Prof. Adeshola Olatunde Adepoju, Current Chair of the MAB-ICC and Director-General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN); Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, H.E. Ogbonnaya Onu; Honourable Minister of Water Resources, H.E. Engr. Suleiman Adamu; Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, H.E. Mrs. Pauline Tallen; Honourable Minister of State for Environment, H.E. Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor; the Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, H.E. Dr. Hajo Sani, OON; and the Deputy Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, Mr. I. S. Egbo, amongst others.
While giving his remarks, the Chair of the MAB-ICC, Prof. Adesola Adepoju expressed his gratitude to UNESCO’s Director-General, Ms. Audrey Azoulay for being physically present and also appreciated the unflinching support and unrelenting efforts of the Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, H.E. Dr. Hajo Sani, the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, Dr. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle as well as the entire team of UNESCO’s MAB Secretariat and MAB-ICC Bureau Members. He highlighted the importance for MAB to continue its work in promoting the values of Biosphere Reserves citing that the past 50 years of the MAB Programme has “demonstrated result oriented and successful harmonies integration of people and nature for sustainable development.” Additionally, he emphasized that “environmental sustainability, ecosystem conservation, particularly, living in peace and harmony with nature is hinged on collaborative, collective and coordinated actions by governments, individuals, consumers, civil societies, scientific and technological communities.”
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha, who represented Mr. President, reassured the council that Nigeria is still committed to keeping its pledge made at the 74th United Nations General Assembly to plant 25 million trees nationwide. He also reiterated the importance of the work of the MAB-ICC which consists of reconciling humanity and nature, adding that “the challenge remains the ability to continually demonstrate that biodiversity conservation can foster human development with its continuous provision of ecological services.” On the other hand, the Minister of State for Environment, H.E. Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor mentioned that Nigeria is currently in the process of creating 10 new protected areas and also preparing a nomination dossier of 4 new Reserves.
The Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, Ambassador Hajo Sani began by expressing her pleasure that despite the concern over the lingering Covid19 pandemic and the postponement of the event which was earlier scheduled to hold last year, she’s delighted that the event is finally taking course as planned. Furthermore, she added that the event speaks volume of the adaptability of UNESCO and the management of the MAB-ICC. While commending the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay for her exceptional leadership, she reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment and support to UNESCO and her initiative to reform and rebrand the Organization. Additionally, she drew attention to the importance of the work done by the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria and its Director-General, Prof. Adesola Adepoju who is also the Chair of the MAB-ICC.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, in her own remarks, appreciated Nigeria’s President, H. E. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for hosting the 33rd Session of the MAB-ICC. She stated that over the years there have been an erosion of Biodiversity which is not only putting human survival at risk but also the beauty and diversity of the world. She added that this collapse is not inevitable which is why the MAB Programme “is playing a pioneering role.” Similarly, she stressed the importance of the BIOPALT project and mentioned that Nigeria is part of the healthy dynamic following the creation of 3 new Biosphere Reserves in 2020.
Furthermore, the Council approved a total of 20 new Reserves and 2 resubmissions. In addition, the MAB Bureau unanimously approved the selection of 8 winners for the MAB Young Scientists Award out of the 41 eligible applicants from 26 countries. Some of the winners are: Mr. Kone Loua Serge Patrick from Cote d’Ivoire, EDESA Dese Yadeta from Ethiopia and WARIRA Grace from Kenya. For the Michael Batisse Award 2021, out of the 13 applicants, the award was won by Ms. Sharon Wright from Australia for her case study on the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”12″ display=”basic_slideshow”]For more information on the UNESCO MAB-ICC and the Draft Final report of the Session, please visit: https://en.unesco.org/mab/governance#icc
