UNESCO, the UN organization in charge of science, has long promoted sustainable development notably through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the International Hydrological Programme, the International Geoscience ProgrammeandtheManandtheBiosphere(MAB) Programme.
The International Co-ordinating Council of theManandtheBiosphereProgramme (MAB-ICC) is meeting on 9-13 July 2012 to consider new sites for inclusion in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
These are sites established by countries and recognized under UNESCO's ManandtheBiosphereProgramme (UNESCO-MAB) to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.