Members of the National Committee

The National Committee is reappointed every three years by the Federal Minister for the Environment. The members work on a voluntary basis. The German committee currently comprises 20 experts from the fields of science, practice, administration, and politics. They bring extensive experience in the various topics covered by the MAB program, from biodiversity and education for sustainable development to sustainable regional development.

Chair of committee

• Chair: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN)
• Secretariat: Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN)

Tasks

The German MAB National Committee:

• organizes the implementation and further development of the UNESCO MAB program in Germany,
• advises on the designation of new biosphere reserves,
• participates in the regular evaluation of existing biosphere reserves, ensuring compliance with UNESCO criteria in the biosphere reserves,
• develops concepts for sustainable management and education for sustainable development (ESD),
• writes position papers on current topics such as zonation or renewable energies,
• supports the implementation of the goals of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in the MAB context,
• represents Germany in the international committees of the MAB program.

The MAB National Committee contributes to the further development of German biosphere reserves as model regions for sustainable livelihoods and economic activities, in line with global environmental goals and with a view to protecting biological diversity.