EABRN is a regional network supporting the UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and has three priority themes for cooperation: eco-tourism, conservation policy, and trans-boundary cooperation. EABRN facilitates the exchange of information between biosphere reserves (BRs) and governing bodies, and conducts regular regional meetings on issues of common concern. It also serves as a mechanism to facilitate training and site-to-site cooperation.

 

To date, EABRN has conducted sixteen network meetings since 1994. These meetings have been conducted as workshops and provided positive opportunities for experts and BR managers to exchange individual experiences in biological diversity conservation, particularly the implementation of the Seville Strategy, the Statutory Framework for Biosphere Reserves, and the Lima Action Plan. At these meetings, the results of cooperative scientific studies - such as on tourism management - are also presented to members. The last EABRN meeting was held in October 2013 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The next meeting is scheduled to be held at the Shiga Highland Biosphere Reserve in Japan during the second half of 2015.

 

The EABRN Network directs special attention to the capacity building of Biosphere Reserve managers based on modern technologies and spatial tools. To date, seven EABRN training courses have been held, primarily focusing on the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to BR management. These courses were held in 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011,2012, 2015 and 2017. Two online training webinars were also conducted in 2021 and 2023.

 

The objectives of EABRN are:

i.        to provide a mechanism for East Asian countries to exchange information on the three main functions of individual biosphere reserves (BR): i.e. conservation of ecosystems and genetic resources contained therein; socioeconomic development of local economies and people; and logistic support for research, training, environmental education and monitoring;

ii.       to compare experience in the management of BRs in East Asia, particularly in relation to zoning and harmonizing BRs’ goal of conserving biodiversity with its function of supporting socioeconomic development of local economies and people;

iii.      to document and review prevailing institutional and administrative arrangements for the management of BRs of East Asia and make recommendations for improvements;

iv.      to identify, design and implement short-term multi- and inter-disciplinary studies that explore and demonstrate links between the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable socioeconomic development of local people in and around BRs in East Asia;

v.       to provide opportunities for staff of BRs in East Asia to improve their knowledge and skills in implementing Strategies and Action Plans adopted by the MAB International Coordinating Council;

vi.      to promote and strengthen co-operation between EABRN and other UNESCO Member States in the Asia-Pacific Region in the implementation of MAB Strategies and Action Plans; and

vii.     to promote and facilitate information exchange and inter-regional cooperation with similar networks in other parts of the world and with international organizations, such as IUCN.

 

Activities of EABRN:

• Organize EABRN meetings combined with field evaluations of BRs by members and experts attending EABRN Meetings.

• Carry out small-scale research projects, cooperative scientific studies in East Asia and publication of books as well as a Biosphere Reserve Atlas.

• Organize regular regional capacity building training courses.

 

The main target groups are:

• National MAB Committee members

• Biosphere Reserve Managers from East Asian countries

• Ecologists and environmental specialists

• Researchers and scientists

• Planners and policy makers

• Resources managers