As part of the celebration of the International Day of Biosphere Reserves, the Ministry of the Environment (MdE) through Haiti’s Biosphere Reserve Management Unit (UGRBH) organized a training and awareness-raising workshop in collaboration with the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Youth Network.

This workshop is part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness and mobilize support for Haiti’s biosphere reserves, which are severely impacted by deforestation, ecosystem degradation, and the effects of climate change. It aimed to increase understanding of biosphere reserves and promote an approach that balances biodiversity conservation with the development of local communities.

Yves Bernard Remarais, Chief of Staff to the Minister of the Environment, officially launched the day’s celebrations in the presence of representatives from various sectoral institutions and officials from the Ministry.

In his remarks, Remarais emphasized that "Haiti’s natural heritage cannot be protected in a sustainable way without the active engagement of local communities". He noted that the La Selle and La Hotte biosphere reserves—both recognized by UNESCO, represent both a "responsibility for Haiti" and an opportunity to foster "sustainable development for the benefit of the population."

The Chief of Staff also drew a connection between this approach and the National Community Reforestation Strategy, which places local authorities and communities at the heart of efforts to restore degraded ecosystems. For his part, Ematel Bélance, Coordinator of the UGRBH, noted that the Man and the Biosphere Programme launched by UNESCO in 1971 aims to establish a sustainable balance between biodiversity conservation, economic and social development, scientific research, and environmental education.

The workshop also served to raise awareness about Haiti’s two biosphere reserves and the primary challenges they face. These sites are part of a global network that currently includes 797 biosphere reserves across 145 countries.

The emphasis placed on the link between conservation and community development reflects an inclusive approach to environmental management, in which local populations are recognized as essential partners in the protection and sustainable utilization of natural resources.

HL/ HaitiLibre