The Man and the Biosphere Programme is governed by an International Coordinating Council of 34 Member States

Background

The Man and the Biosphere Programme operates under the guidance of UNESCO Member States.
Its main governing body is the International Co-ordinating Council, also known as the MAB Council or MAB-ICC.
The Council is composed of 34 Member States, elected by the biennial General Conference for four years.
Each Member State has one vote, but can choose to send more experts or advisers to the Council sessions.
The MAB-ICC usually meets once a year, and its sessions are usually held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris or hosted by a MAB-ICC Member State.
At its meetings the Council elects a chairperson and five vice-chairpersons, of whom one functions as a rapporteur; these form the MAB Bureau, to which the authority of the Council is delegated between sessions.
The MAB-ICC designates new biosphere reserves and takes note of recommendations on periodic review reports of biosphere reserves.
The MAB Secretariat implements the decisions of the Council and coordinates the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, while the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves gives scientific and technical advice on that Network.