On 29–30 May 2025, the International Centre for the Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves (UNESCOMED) hosted the 4th Mediterranean Biosphere Reserve Managers’ Meeting under the theme: "Towards a Resilient Mediterranean: The Contribution of Biosphere Reserves to Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation." 

This well-established forum brought together managers and stakeholders from the MedMAB Network to exchange experiences and foster joint action. Georgina Flamme from the Abertis Foundation inaugurated the meeting, highlighting the importance of public-private collaboration in tackling shared challenges such as climate change. The opening session also featured an intervention by Natalia Beltrán, representing Spain’s Autonomous National Parks Organization (OAPN), who underscored the importance of coordinated action across national and regional levels. 

Antonio Abreu (Director of the Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences at UNESCO) delivered an insightful keynote address, underlining the critical role of Biosphere Reserves in climate change adaptation and mitigation, particularly in the Mediterranean region (You can find more details of his presentation here.)  

A key moment of the meeting was the introduction of the new Technical Secretariat coordinators, who will lead the next phase of collaborative work within the UNESCOMED Centre and the MedMAB Network: 

• Núria Pou, newly appointed Coordinator of the UNESCOMED Centre. An environmentalist with extensive experience in biodiversity conservation, Pou has more than a decade of experience as knowledge transfer technician. She brings strong expertise in project coordination and facilitation, applying efficient and results-oriented methodologies to address today’s environmental challenges. 

• Alba Bonàs, newly appointed Coordinator of the MedMAB Network. Also an environmentalist, Bonàs has over a decade of experience as a consultant in sustainability engagement and communication projects. She brings a multidisciplinary and strategic approach to implementing impactful sustainability and climate action initiatives. 

The programme comprehensively addressed several pivotal topics critical to the future of Mediterranean biosphere reserves, fostering dialogue and collaboration among participants to strengthen resilience and sustainability in the region: 

• Roundtable on climate resilience projects, which brought together coordinators and partners from the RES-MAB (PRIMA) and LIFE Biospher’Adapt projects—initiatives that originated during the 3rd Mediterranean Biosphere Reserve Managers’ Meeting in 2022. The session showcased how Biosphere Reserves serve as Living Labs for research, innovation, and collaboration to address urgent challenges such as climate change and socio-economic instability. 

• Discussion on the governance of the MedMAB Network and the development of its new Action Plan.  

• A collective reflection on what unites Mediterranean territories, reinforcing shared values and identity. 

• An international outlook, focusing on preparations for the upcoming World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in China this September, and the development of the new MAB Strategic Action Plan 2026–2035. 

The meeting reaffirmed the network’s commitment to collaborative efforts and reinforced the role of Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves as key contributors to building a more resilient and sustainable future. 

Learn more about the 4th Meeting of the Mediterranean Network of Biosphere Reserve Managers (MedMAB):  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJVnGP_xEW8eqil_p3jp_BuzhW75uj_D7