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The ICC meets annually to consider among other matters, nominations for Biosphere Reserve. The ICC heeded the Advisory Committee’s conclusion to DEFER the proposal. The statement by the ICC read: The Council noted that after the Advisory Committee meeting, the Member State sent to the MAB Secretariat additional information on Pelindaba confirming its civil research function. However, the Council would like to recall the deliberations of the twenty-fourth session of the MAB-ICC where the nomination of the proposed Terres de l’Ebre (Spain) biosphere reserve was deferred due to a similar case. The Council reconsidered the proposal in light of additional information provided by the authorities about the Nuclear Research Centre and decided to defer this proposal. The Council invited the Member State to revise the nomination to present a complete biosphere reserve zonation in conformity with the Statutory Framework of the WNBR based on consultation with local communities and to exclude the nuclear reactor from the proposed area.

UNESCO Director – General: Acknowledged the importance and contribution of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) to networking and sharing. The WNBR is a map of global scientific cooperation for protection of biodiversity. For 40 years the MAB Programme has been very concretely putting science at the service of peace and sustainable development and demonstrating the connections between human development and ecosystems, and between biological and cultural diversity. The MAB Programme reinforces the link between knowledge and policy, and between science and policy, to craft solutions for sustainability.

“The Council reconsidered the proposal in light of additional information provided by the authorities about the Nuclear Research Centre at Pelindaba and decided to defer this proposal. The Council invited South Africa to revise the nomination to present a complete biosphere reserve zonation in conformity with the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biopshere Reserves based on consultation with local communities and to exclude the nuclear reactor from the proposed area.”

The Project Steering Committee brings together organs of state and the general public, represented by MBIG. Vincent Carruthers resigned as Chairman of MBIG in favour of Paul Fatti, and resigned also from the Steering Committee. Vincent continues as Chairman of the Not for Profit Company, Magaliesberg Biosphere.

“The encouraging news is that most of the Gauteng endorsements for the Biosphere have been signed, including most of the provincial departments as well as the municipalities of Mogale City, West Rand and Tshwane. Three more signatures are awaited, those from the Gauteng departments of Economic Development and Sports and Recreation and from the City of Johannesburg. The first two are apparently a formality, but Johannesburg is still in the balance.” ~ Paul Fatti, Chairman of MBIG.

The application for the Magaliesberg Biosphere is ready, with all required signatures from Gauteng and North West, to return to National Department of Environmental Affairs. From there, the application will be returned to UNESCO for re-consideration.

NW Officials and Contour Project Manager revise the maps included in the submission. The changes are to exclude the NECSA property specifically and only.