The Korean MAB National Committee said Korea was chosen as a chair country for the next International Coordinating Council of MAB (Man and Biosphere) programme at the voting on May 31. Accordingly, Chung-il Choi, cochairman of Korean MAB National Committee will chair the ICC for the next two years.

The International Coordinating Council of UNESCO MAB is responsible for decision makings in managing, inspecting and designating the Biosphere Reserves. At the 19^th and 21^st ICC, Korea was selected as a vice-chair country and Chung-il Choi chaired the 21^st ICC.

Established in 1971 by UNESCO, the MAB programme has been conducting BR (Biosphere Reserve) projects as a global body for designating and managing biosphere reserve. The Korean MAB National Committee was established in 1980 and the Korea National Part Service has operated the secretariat since January 20, 2010.

In Korea, Seoraksan (Mt.), Jejudo (Island), and Shinan Dadohae were designated as biosphere reserves. Yeon-man Jeong, cochairman of the Korean MAB National Committee said it is significant to be selected as a chair nation of MAB ICC for the first time in Asia and Korea will be able to play a key role in managing biosphere reserves in the international community.