Co-organized by UNESCO’s MAB Programme and the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), the Forum aimed at creating cohesion among youth involved in Biosphere Reserves, and to promote a global MAB movement towards COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Activities during this event were designed to create a common understanding of key biodiversity concepts and actorsbut also to foster connection and a sense of community between participants.
The various interactive and debate sessions offered youth an opportunity to understand more about GYBN, the CBD and COP15, to be held in Kunming (China) in October 2020, and to reflect upon a common strategy and a course of action to get involved in this process.
Participants engaged in lively conversations over four days, and discussed topics including visions for the future, human development and wellbeing, climate change; and the role of the biosphere reserves in reaching the three objectives of the CBD.
The 2019 MAB Youth Forum concluded with the release of a declaration, and the inception of several international and regional action plans, for a coordinated MAB Youth action in the run-up to the main biodiversity milestones of 2019 and 202000. This will be the basis for further mobilization of young people across the globe, which, with the help of GYBN, will bring youth voices to international biodiversity policymaking.
