The application, submitted in September last year, from the Island of Porto Santo to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, was approved today by the International Coordination Council of the UNESCO Program "The Man and the Biosphere - MAB". With this registration, the number of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves in the UNESCO World Network rises to 12.

«The classification of the island of Porto Santo Reserva da Biosfera projects the territory at an international level by valuing the intrinsic values, services and local products, by promoting the low-carbon and circular economy, significantly increasing the generation of value and environmental sustainability, with expressive gains for residents and visitors »

«Man and the Biosphere - MAB» is a UNESCO intergovernmental scientific program, combining natural and social sciences, promoting innovative approaches to economic, social and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable development.

The World Biosphere Reserve Network is a unique instrument for international cooperation through the sharing of knowledge, exchange of experiences, capacity building and promotion of best practices. It is a dynamic and interactive international network, consisting of more than 700 reserves, which aims to implement actions that contribute to a harmonious relationship between human beings and nature in a wide range of contexts.

Biosphere Reserves are defined by UNESCO as living laboratories, where the main functions are the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems and species, and sustainable development at the social, economic, cultural and ecological level, acting as platforms for research, monitoring, education and awareness.

Porto Santo, October 28, 2020