3rd IberoMAB Youth Forum: new governance and action plan for 2027
From 2 to 7 November 2024, the Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve in Bahia, Brazil, hosted the 3rd IberoMAB Youth Forum. Over 70 youth representatives from 22 countries across Ibero-America and the Caribbean came together to strengthen their role in managing biosphere reserves and shaping a sustainable future.
Empowering youth and promoting action
The forum aimed to amplify youth participation in biosphere reserve governance, empowering them locally, regionally, and globally. Prior to the event, participants completed the virtual course IberoMAB Youth in Action, gaining foundational knowledge about the MAB Programme and biosphere reserve management. The forum's cultural program showcased the rich heritage of Bahia, featuring nearly 20 groups and over 200 artists.
Organized by the UNESCO MAB Programme Secretariat, the UNESCO Office in Brasilia, the Brazilian MAB National Committee, the Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve, and the IberoMAB Network, the forum received financial support from the Brazilian Ministry of Environment, the Bahia State Secretariat of Environment, Spain's Autonomous National Parks Authority (OAPN), and the Espinhaço Institute of Brazil, alongside nearly 30 donors and partners. The event's carbon-neutral commitment included the planting of nearly 800 trees, ensuring its alignment with sustainability principles.
Key achievements
A significant milestone of the forum was the establishment of a new regional governance system for the IberoMAB Youth Network. Gabriela Leite from the Caatinga Biosphere Reserve in Brazil was elected as the network's coordinator, supported by four sub-coordinators: María José (La Campana Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve, Chile, South America Sub-region), José Ulises Alarcón (Trifinio Fraternidad Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala, Mesoamerica Sub-region), Lilisbet Tormos (Baconao Biosphere Reserve, Cuba, Caribbean Sub-region), Haidée Sariego (Omaña and Luna Biosphere Reserve, Spain, Iberian Peninsula Sub-region).
The election of these representatives marked a historic step in strengthening youth participation in decision-making. Since the 2nd IberoMAB Youth Forum in 2022, 24 local and national youth networks have been established, fostering cooperation and the exchange of experiences.
"Achieving the election of our representatives at this forum was a historic milestone for IberoMAB youth," said Gabriela Leite. "This governance structure strengthens our network, giving us greater legitimacy and ensuring our voices are heard in decisions affecting our territories and MAB networks. Our ultimate goal is for Biosphere Reserves to exemplify harmony between humans and nature, with youth empowerment driving this vision."
Declaration 3rd IberoMAB Youth Forum 2024
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) unesco
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) unesco
Commitments and Future Actions
Participants committed to:
Increasing youth representation: By 2027, ensuring that 75% of biosphere reserves in the region have youth representatives involved in governance.
Developing training programmes: Collaborating with UNESCO and national MAB committees to provide education on conservation, climate change, environmental education, biodiversity, sustainable tourism, and resource management.
Supporting local projects: Promoting youth-led initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global agreements on biodiversity and climate change, backed by funding and technical monitoring.
Fostering collaboration: Strengthening regional meetings and creating a digital platform for ongoing communication, resource sharing, and experience exchange.
The 3rd IberoMAB Youth Forum concluded with a shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future, underlining the transformative potential of empowered youth in advancing the principles of the MAB Programme.
