Morocco and China Foster Cooperation on Biosphere Reserves
In a significant step towards enhancing international collaboration on biodiversity and sustainable development, a Moroccan delegation met with a Chinese delegation during the 38th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council (ICC) of the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) held in Hernandarias, Paraguay. This pivotal meeting saw Morocco’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Samir Addahre, engage in discussions with China’s Permanent Delegate, Ambassador Yang Xinyu, alongside representatives from their respective national MAB networks. The agenda focused on exploring avenues for deepening cooperation in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and effective management of biosphere reserves.
During the meeting, both sides articulated a shared vision for advancing their collaborative efforts. Addahre highlighted the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Morocco and China, underlining how their mutual goals align on issues of sustainable development, innovation, and intercultural dialogue. He expressed optimism that the strategic partnership between Rabat and Beijing would yield fruitful outcomes for biosphere reserves, thereby contributing to a sustainable future for upcoming generations. The Moroccan diplomat called for enhanced exchanges between the two nations’ MAB networks, emphasizing the need for joint initiatives aimed at preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.
Commitments to Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
Ambassador Yang praised Morocco’s leadership role within the ICC-MAB, which is set to continue during the 2024-2026 mandate. She commended Morocco’s proactive efforts in driving the objectives of UNESCO’s MAB program, particularly noting the country’s role in hosting the 36th ICC-MAB session in Agadir, an event she described as a significant milestone in bolstering global governance of biosphere reserves. Yang also acknowledged Morocco's active participation in various international MAB events, further solidifying its commitment to biodiversity initiatives.
The meeting provided a platform for Moroccan officials to extend their congratulations to China on the election of prominent ecologist Ma Keping as President of the ICC-MAB for the upcoming 2026-2028 term. Both Addahre and Latifa Yaakoubi, President of Morocco’s National MAB Committee, expressed confidence in China’s capacity to propel the MAB Program forward and reinforce the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. They reiterated Morocco’s commitment to supporting the incoming presidency and contributing to future initiatives, emphasizing a spirit of cooperation and continuity. In closing, both nations reaffirmed their dedication to fostering a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership grounded in knowledge sharing and collaborative projects aimed at supporting biosphere reserves and the communities reliant on them.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
