As part of the implementation of the IUCN North Africa Programme, and following the recommendation from the workshop held in Tangier (Morocco) last March on "Improving governance in the Maghreb region by strengthening the capacities of biosphere reserves stakeholders and site managers", the IUCN Centre for Cooperation Mediterranean has organized an expert meeting in Malaga from 3 to 5 December 2012 to support the implementation of actions in favor of good governance and management of the Biosphere Reserves in the region.

The purpose of this meeting -organized with the financial support of the Autonomous Organization of National Parks in Spain (OAPN) - was:
(i) developing a program for capacity building of managers of biosphere reserves in North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia), and
(ii) identify pilot projects to be implemented at various sites.

The presence of experts in charge of Biosphere Reserves from Spain, France and Italy has strengthened the cooperation and the exchange of experience between the North and South shores of the Mediterranean and has helped identify opportunities to undertake joint actions. An action plan has been prepared and approved by the partner of the consortium to be implemented during the period 2013-2016.
The last day of the meeting were dedicated to a field trip to the biosphere reserve of Sierra de Las Nieves located in the province of Malaga, where the participants get various information on the history and specificity of the site and the several activities and institutional arrangements that are implemented for the management of the biosphere reserve.