Members of the Southeast Asian Biosphere Reserve Network (SeaBRnet), which include Indonesia, holds an annual meeting in order to discuss achievements and challenges relating to the management of the biosphere reserves that they are responsible for. This year, the 13th SeaBRnet was held under the theme, “Ecosystem Services and Community Empowerment Towards Sustainable Management of Biosphere Reserves” and was held in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia from 15 - 17 November 2021. During the event, a knowledge exchange session was held between SeaBRnet members and there was also a discussion of the strategic contributions made by Man and the Biosphere (MAB) in Asia in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The following findings were set out in case studies produced by various countries:
1. Biosphere reserves have an important role to play as a platform for various stakeholders to be able to participate in an inclusive manner.
2. Biosphere reserves must have a management board secretariat, coordinator, promotion division, research division and management office.
3. Biosphere reserve personnel must be skilled and motivated, and should possess theoretical and relevant knowledge.
4. Managers of biosphere reserves should be able to build partnerships with universities, research institutes and the private sector.
5. There is a need for an integrated biosphere reserve management plan capable of building synergies between stakeholders.

In addition to talk shows and discussions, the event also featured an exhibition area in which activities and products relating to biosphere reserve management were displayed. FORCLIME, in collaboration with Sustainability and Value-Added in Agricultural Supply Chains in Indonesia (SASCI+), facilitated the Lore Lindu National Park and its SME partners in the promotion and exhibition of various products produced by communities living in the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve.

The SeaBRnet event concluded with a field visit to the Rinjani - Lombok Biosphere Reserve, giving participants the opportunity to observe the implementation of the biosphere reserve concept, interact with the local community and provide input relating to the management of the Rinjani - Lombok Biosphere Reserve.

For more information, please contact:
Ismet Khaeruddin, Senior Advisor for the Biodiversity Focal Point for the KFW Forest Program 3 and Provincial Coordinator for Central Sulawesi
Fikty Aprilinayati, Adviser for Sustainable Forest Management and Biosphere Reserve Management