• Executive Council
  Member (Term expires: 2015)
• International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB)
  Member (Term expires at the end of 2013)
• Intergovernmental Council of the “Management of Social Transformations”
  Member (Term expires at the end of 2013)
• Intergovernmental Council for the Information Program
  (Term expires: 2015)
• Intergovernmental Committee on World Heritage
  Member (Term expires at the end of 2013) 
  Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
  Member
• Councils of UNESCO Institutes and Centers in Ethiopia 
  The Board of Directors of the International Institute of UNESCO for Capacity Building in Africa
  Demeke MEKONNEN

The Program on Man and the Biosphere (MAB)

The Program on Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program is a scientific intergovernmental to establish a scientific basis to improve human-nature relationships globally. Launched in the early 70s, MAB offers 
interdisciplinary research agenda, encouraging capacity building, and reducing environmental and social loss. 
MAB brings together several disciplines – natural sciences, social sciences, economics and education – for
Improve human environments and preserve natural ecosystems. In Particular, it encouraged innovative approaches to economic development That respect social, cultural and ecological values. 
The MAB program is defined by the administrative labor body, the MAB International Coordinating Council in cooperation with the MAB Entire community. 
Programs and activities focus we Particular ecosystems: mountains, tropical forests, urban systems, wetlands, islands, coastal and marine areas. In order to preserve em, encouraged MAB research, 
capacity building and collaborative interdisciplinary entre different Sectors.
To implement its various interdisciplinary field work, MAB on the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, networks and regional partners for the exchange of knowledge, research and monitoring, education and training, and participatory decision making.

Paris, July 11 – The International Co-ordinating Council of MAB, meeting in Paris from 9 to 13 July, added 20 new sites, including two borders at the World Biosphere Reserve Network. 
The network now has 598 biosphere reserves [under the new counting system, the correct figure for 2012 is 610 biosphere reserves-including 12 border] in 117 countries.

Sheka (Ethiopia). The reserve, with a total area of 238,750 hectares, includes wetlands, forests, bamboo thickets, farmland, towns and rural hamlets. The forest of Sheka belongs to the forest of highlands of Ethiopia, it plays an important role in the forest vegetation types of Afromontane, especially the rainforest and thickets of hollow bamboo. The place is rich in plants and animals, including more than 38 endangered species. The local population is strongly committed to maintaining ecosystem integrity through the practice of environmentally sustainable agriculture.