West Polesie included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves

MINSK, 6 September (BelTA) – Belarus has received a UNESCO certificate on the inclusion of West Polesie Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Belarus/Poland/Ukraine) into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, BelTA learnt from consultant of the land and landscape section of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus Tatiana Trafimovich. The certificate was solemnly presented at the conference on protection and sustainable development of Polesie in Poland on 5 September. Taking part in the conference were representatives of environmental agencies of Poland and Ukraine, Secretariat of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), and a delegation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus led by Deputy Minister Galina Volchuga. The ministry informed that the agreement between the governments of Belarus, Poland and Ukraine on the creation of the West Polesie biosphere reserve was signed in 2011. The application to include the biosphere reserve into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves was put forward during the 24th session of the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme in Paris. The application was approved. According to Tatiana Trafimovich, the certificate demonstrates the recognition by UNESCO of the environmental efforts of Belarus and the role of the country in the development of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. West Polesie Transboundary Biosphere Reserve is the biggest protected natural reserve in the Central European Biogeographical Region. The region boasts peculiar flora and fauna, including a number of rare and endangered species. The area represents and protects unique landscapes and traditions on the cultural edge of both Eastern and Western Europe. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves was created as part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme. It aims to improve the relationships between people and their environment globally. Concerned with problems at the interface of scientific, environmental, societal and development issues, MAB combines natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and safeguard natural ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development. At present the program includes 598 biosphere reserves in 117 countries.

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