PERIODIC REVIEW FOR TRANSBOUNDARY BIOSPHERE RESERVE [January 2013] INTRODUCTION The UNESCO General Conference, at its 28th session, adopted Resolution 28 C/2.4 on the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This text defines in particular the criteria for an area to be qualified for designation as a biosphere reserve (Article 4). In addition, Article 9 foresees a periodic review every ten years, based on a report prepared by the concerned authority, on the basis of the criteria of Article 4 and forwarded to the secretariat by the State concerned. This applies to national biosphere reserves. In the case of transboundary biosphere reserve, periodic review should be seen as a way to assess how the tranboundary biosphere reserve fulfilled the Pamplona recommendations in addition to the national periodic review forms to be fulfilled by each country as foreseen in article 9. The periodic review of Transboundary Biosphere Reserves (TBR), refers to the recommendations of the ad-hoc task force which met during the International Expert Meeting on the Implementation of the Seville Strategy of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (Seville+5), in Pamplona, Spain, October 2000. Transboundary Biosphere Reserve is an official recognition of a political will to co-operate on key issues for the conservation and sustainable use through coordinated management of a shared ecosystem. It also represents a commitment of two or more countries to apply together the Seville Strategy for biosphere reserves and its objectives. However, it should be kept in mind that, although the biosphere reserve provides a general framework for action in a transboundary location, the real-world situations will vary very much from a place to another, and flexibility is needed even more than in a national context. Therefore, this form is complementary but does not replace the individual periodic review form to be fulfilled by each designated biosphere reserve. The report should focus on progress achieved in the cooperation foreseen since designation and changes within the review period and explicitly with regard to common, transboundary aspects/activities/views/figures. The information presented on this periodic review will be used in a number of ways by UNESCO: (a) for examination by the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves and by the Bureau of the MAB International Coordinating Council; (b) for use in a world-wide accessible information system, notably for the UNESCO-MABnet and publications, facilitating communication and interaction amongst persons interested in biosphere reserves throughout the world. Kindly indicate if any part of this report should remain confidential. The form consists of three parts: • Part one is a summary highlighting the main changes in the transboundary biosphere reserve during the reporting period; • Part two is more descriptive and detailed, referring to the implementation of the Pamplona recommendations; • Part three consists of 3 annexes. The first will be used to update the directory of biosphere reserves on the MABnet, the second annex will be used to provide promotion and communication materials of the biosphere reserve and the third annex comprises the Pamplona recommendations. UNESCO - Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme – TBR periodic review – January 2013 2 Please provide as many quantitative data as possible as well as supporting documentation to complete the information provided, especially: Map(s) clearly showing the zonation of the TBR ; The cooperation agreement(s) for the TBR, if appropriate ; The update of the official agreement between the governmental authorites, if appropriate; An update of the common workplan or successive workplans between the countries. The form should be completed in English, French or Spanish. Two copies should be sent to the Secretariat, as follows: 1. The original hard copy, with the original signatures, zonation map and supporting documents. This should be sent to the Secretariat through the Official UNESCO channels, i.e. via the National Commission for UNESCO and/or the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO. 2. An electronic version (on diskette, CD, etc.) of the periodic review form and of maps (especially the zonation map). This can be sent directly to the MAB Secretariat: UNESCO Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences 7, Place de Fontenoy F-75732 Paris 07 SP, France Tel: +33 (0)1 45 68 40 67 Fax: +33 (0)1 45 68 58 04 E-mail: [email protected] www.unesco.org/mab UNESCO - Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - TBR periodic review – January 2013 3 TABLE OF CONTENT PART I: SUMMARY PART II: PERIODIC REVIEW REPORT 1. Transboundary Biosphere Reserve l6 2. Zonation 7 3. Significant Progress and Changes in the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve - During the Past ten Years 8 4. Goals I: Use Biosphere Reserves to Conserve Natural and Cultural Diversity 8 5. Goal II: Utilize Biosphere Reserves as Models of Land Management and of Approaches for Sustainable Development 9 6. Goal III: Use Biosphere Reserves for Research, Monitoring, Education and - Training 11 7. Institutional and financial Aspects of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve 13 8. Conclusion: Progress Made 14 9. Supporting documents 15 10. Addresses 16 Annexes Annex I: MABnet Directory of the Biosphere Reserves 17 Annex II: Promotion and Communication Materials 22 Annex II: Pamplona Recommendations (Spain, 2000) 25 UNESCO - Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - TBR periodic review – January 2013 4 PART I: SUMMARY a) Name of the transboundary biosphere reserve: b) Countries and individual biosphere reserves: c) Year of designation: d) Year(s) of previous transboundary periodic review(s) if appropriate: e) Previous recommendation(s) made by the International Co-ordinating Council (MAB- ICC), if applicable: f) What follow-up actions are completed and if not completed/initiated, please explain. g) Brief summary of the implementation of measures to achieve the objectives of the transboundary biosphere reserve. h) Briefly describe the process by which the current periodic review has been conducted: i) Updated coordinates of transboundary biosphere reserve (if applicable). If any changes in the standard geographical coordinates please provide them here (all projected under WGS 84): Cardinal points: Latitude Longitude Most central point: Northernmost point: Southernmost point: Westernmost point: Easternmost point: UNESCO - Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - TBR periodic review – January 2013 5 j) Human population of the transboundary biosphere reserve (based on national figures): Previous report (nomination At present (please state date of form or periodic review) census or other source) and date Core Area(s) (permanent and seasonally) Buffer Zone(s) (permanent and seasonally) Transition Area(s) (permanent and seasonally) k) Estimated Budget for transboundary activities and initiatives (main sources of funds, special capital funds) and international, regional or national relevant projects/initiatives completed or carried out. Estimated budget for the coordinating structure Budget in the previous report Current budget (nomination form or periodic review) and date UNESCO - Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - TBR periodic review – January 2013 6 PART II: PERIODIC REVIEW 1. TRANSBOUNDARY BIOSPHERE RESERVE: 1.1 Year designated: 1.2 Countries and individual biosphere reserves: 1.3 Year of first transboundary periodic review and of any following periodic review(s) (when appropriate): 1.4 Follow-up actions taken in response to each recommendation from the previous periodic review (if applicable), and if not completed/initiated, please explain 1.5 Other observations or comments on the above. 1.6 Describe in detail the process by which the current periodic review for the TBR has been conducted and how it was articulated with the review process in each country: 1.6.1 Which stakeholders were involved? 1.6.2 What methodology was used to involve stakeholders in the process (e.g., workshops, meetings, consultation with experts). UNESCO - Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - TBR periodic review – January 2013 7 1.6.3 How many meetings, workshops, etc. occurred throughout the process of conducting this review? 1.6.4 Were they well attended, with full and balanced representation? (Describe participation and stakeholders). 2. ZONATION: 2.1 Please provide an (updated) zonation map on a topographic layer of the precise location and delimitation of the three zones of the transboundary biosphere reserve. (Map(s) must be provided in both paper and electronic copies). Shapefiles (also in WGS 84 projection system) used to produce the map must be attached to the electronic copy of the form. If possible, also provide a link to access this map on the internet (e.g. Google map, website…). 2.2 Area and spatial configuration of the transboundary biosphere reserve Previous report (nomination form or periodic review) Proposed changes (if any) and date Area of terrestrial Core Area(s) Area of terrestrial Buffer Zone(s) Area of terrestrial Transition Area(s) Area of marine Core Area(s) Area of marine Buffer Zone(s) Size of marine Transition Area(s) 2.3 Have there been any changes with regard to the zonation of the transboundary biosphere reserve since last report? If so please explain UNESCO - Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme - TBR periodic review – January 2013 8 2.4 Brief justification of the zonation and interaction between the three zones . 3. SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND CHANGES IN THE TRANSBOUNDARY BIOSPHERE RESERVE DURING