The Korean National Commission for UNESCO will hold a UNESCO MAB Youth Forum at the Youth Hostel in Gochang, South Korea from July 9 to 12, in cooperation with the MAB National Committee of the Republic of Korea and Gochang-gun. The Forum is designed to help young people increase their understanding of the concept of Biosphere Reserves, and to support their activities relating to biosphere conservation, such as research, ecotourism and education.

In 2017, UNESCO held the first MAB Youth Forum in Italy’s Po Delta Biosphere Reserve to offer an opportunity for young people from around the world to discuss a shared vision for the future role of youth in Biosphere Reserves. As a result, the 2017 MAB Youth Forum Declaration was adopted. The 2019 forum being held in Gochang will focus on strengthening the activities of youth in South Korea.

On the first day of the forum, two keynote lectures, on "MAB and Biosphere Reserve Areas" and "Biological Diversity and Sustainable Development," will be given to increase local understanding of Biosphere Reserves.

On the second day, a session will be organized to bring together young people to give and hear talks on a variety of subjects relating to Biosphere Reserves, including current research, ecotourism, and specialty products, and conservation and development of the biosphere.

On the third day of the forum, participants are scheduled to visit the Gochang Biosphere Reserve, while on the last day, the forum will culminate in a proposal for suggested future activities relating to the Gochang Biosphere Reserve.

▶​ Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB)

Launched in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.

▶​ There are currently MAB National Committees in 158 countries. The role of these Committees involves planning, conducting and advising on MAB projects in their respective countries. The MAB National Committee of the Republic of Korea was established in 1980.