«Modern approaches to the effective management of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Republic of Kazakhstan»

May 24, 2024 same teachers of the UNESCO Chair for sustainable development: Deputy Head of the Chair of Research and Development O.A. Zubova, Associate Professor T.L. Tazhibayeva and Senior teacher G.B. Tanabekova took part in a Seminar on the topic: «Modern approaches to the effective management of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Republic of Kazakhstan», which was organized by the Kazakhstan Committee of UNESCO «Man and the Biosphere» (MAB UNESCO).

Seminar goals:

• highlighting the conceptual role of UNESCO in the development of the Kazakhstani national network of biosphere reserves and natural sites of the World Heritage;
• discussing the problem in the implementation of the Lima Action Plan (LAP) in Kazakhstan and agreeing on common approaches to the implementation of the LAP with the proposal of project ideas;
• exchange of information on achievements and the current situation in Kazakhstani biosphere reserves, as well as discussion of existing problems.

The moderator of the Seminar was the Chairman of the Kazakhstan National Committee of the UNESCO MAB Program R.V. Yushchenko. The seminar was attended by 30 people, including representatives of the Alakol, Almaty, Charyn, Altyn-Emel, Zhongar reserves, the Kolsai kolderi reserve, potential Ile-Alatau and Ile-Balkhash biosphere reserves, representatives of government bodies, international organizations, and also the youth community.

During the Seminar, the participants exchanged information on the achievements and current situation in Kazakhstan's biosphere reserves, as well as discussed the existing management problems.

They critically discussed the draft of guide «Modern Approaches to the Effective Management of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Republic of Kazakhstan» and received information on the procedures and principles for submitting nominations for the creation of biosphere reserves, as well as on the periodic reporting process. New opportunities for joint cooperation in the development of the national network of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves were discussed and agreed upon.

Teachers of the UNESCO Chair for Sustainable Development also discussed the possibilities of cooperation with the biosphere reserves of the Almaty region as a base for the practice of educational programs of the department.