At its 185th session in October 2010, the Executive Board of UNESCO decided to launch an ambitious programmeon biodiversity, in particular by strengthening theProgrammeonManandtheBiosphere(MAB).
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.
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.