Biosphere Reserves –
People oriented conservation of biological
diversity
Perspectives of
German Development Cooperation
Dr. Konrad Uebelhör
Coordinator
Programme “Implementing the Biodiversity Convention”
Bonner Symposium 2008, 4.-5. Dezember 2008 Deutsche Welle, Bonn
Nachhaltige Entwicklung: Vom Leitbild zur Umsetzung
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Contents
1. Relevance of biodiversity for German
development cooperation
2. Biosphere Reserves in German DC
3. Major issues
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1. Relevance of biodiversity in the context of DC
 Most of the world‘s biodiversity in developing countries
 Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services endangers the
livelihoods of poor people
 Biodiversity conservation is essential to achieve MDGs; MDG 7 is
also a prerequisite for achieving other MDGs, especially MDG 1
 Biodiversity is generally higher in biosphere reserves than in
protected areas as agro-biodiversity is included
 German funding for Biodiversity related projects reached more than
80 million Euro per year in 2007
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2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
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1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
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1992
1991
1990
1989
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1987
1986
100
90
80
70
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50
40
30
20
10
0
1985
Funding volume in million €
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1. Relevance of biodiversity in the context of DC
 Objective of Biosphere Reserves
“To achieve a balance between the human responsibility to maintain
nature and conserve biodiversity and the human need to use
natural resources for enhancing social, cultural and economic wellbeing of peoples”
contributes to sustainable development
 Development cooperation supports biodiversity conservation at the
interface of different levels: local – national – international –
Biosphere reserves relate to all (landscape level)
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2. Biosphere reserves in German DC
 Cooperation with UNESCO World Heritage Sites and
Biosphere Reserves started as early as 1983 (WHS KahuziBiega National Park still on-going)
 Combination of technical and financial cooperation
 Based on long-term (> 10 years) bilateral agreements
 Support is exclusively or forms integral part of more
comprehensive approaches to safeguard the environment
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2. Biosphere reserves in German DC
 Some 30 biosphere reserves and World Heritage Sites have
been supported, at present 14 biosphere reserves
Biosphere Reserve
World Heritage Site
Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site
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3. Major issues to be addressed
 Investments aimed at setting up biosphere reserves and initiating
their sustainable management (management and business plans)
 Overcoming the conflict between conservation and utilization –
valorization of biodiversity –
 Governance issues – facilitating multi-stakeholder cooperation and
participation in management processes in BR = co-management
regarding natural resource management
 Investments in productive projects: biotrade, agriculture, tourism,
alternative sources of income – opportunities for Public-PrivatePartnerships
 Sustainable financing, including “Payment for Ecosystem
Services”,
 Integrating research: Biodiversity and Climate Change
 Networking – scaling-up best practices based on learning
experiences (best example: Kruger2Canyons and Rhön BRs)
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Thank you very much!
www.gtz.de/biodiv
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