Official mission to Guyana undertaken to advance the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana--From 29 June to 3 July 2026, a Program Specialist from the Sciences sector of the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean undertook an official mission to Guyana to advance the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program.
The establishment of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Guyana was identified as a priority during the visit of UNESCO's Director-General to the country in March 2026. Building on this commitment, the technical assistance mission supported national efforts to establish Guyana's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are globally recognized as living laboratories for sustainable development, serving as sites where innovative and interdisciplinary approaches are tested to better understand and manage the relationships between people and nature, promoting biodiversity conservation, safeguarding cultural diversity, and supporting the sustainable use of natural resources.
The mission focused on raising awareness among national stakeholders about the UNESCO MAB Program, strengthening national capacity for the Biosphere Reserve nomination process, and developing a roadmap to guide the preparation of the nomination dossier.
The mission brought together representatives from government agencies, the Iwokrama International Centre, the University of Guyana, and the Guyana National Commission for UNESCO.
During a two-day workshop, participants engaged in technical presentations that deepened their understanding of the UNESCO MAB Program and the Biosphere Reserve nomination process.
A collaborative co-creation session also resulted in the development of a first draft roadmap to guide the establishment of the country's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The mission concluded with meetings with key stakeholders, including a representative of the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Guyana.
UNESCO continues to support countries in balancing biodiversity conservation with sustainable development.
