As reported in a statement from the Conselh Generau d’Aran, last week took place in Agadir (Morocco) the ceremony of recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a total of 11 regions around the world, including the Val d’Aran, along with the region of Irati (Navarra), have been the only two territories of the Spanish State recognized with this distinction.
In 2020 the government of Aran began the process to present the candidacy of the Val d’Aran to become a Biosphere Reserve. A work that began with the participatory process ARAN ACTION 2030, where two hundred people participated, both in person and online, who discussed the possible actions and strategies to meet the challenges of present and future in the economic, social and environmental fields in Aran.
What are UNESCO Biosphere Reserves?
Biosphere Reserves are, as defined by UNESCO, “Learning sites for sustainable development”. They are places where attempts are made to apply interdisciplinary approaches to understand and manage the changes and interactions that occur between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and biodiversity management. They are spaces that provide local solutions to global problems. Biosphere Reserves propose various solutions to reconcile biodiversity conservation with sustainable use. They are not in any case environmental protection figures, nor are they a tourist label.
Biosphere Reserves (BR) are designated by national governments and are under the jurisdiction of the States in which they are located. The designation of BRs remains the responsibility of UNESCO’s Director General through the intergovernmental MAB program, with the MAB International Coordinating Council (MAB_ICC) making the decision. Their status is internationally recognized. BRs involve local communities and all interested organizations.
According to the proposal, the Val d’Aran is an exceptional place for the conservation of natural biodiversity and cultural diversity. It is one of the most unique territories of the Eastern Pyrenees due to its border culture, its own cultural and linguistic identity and its unique landscape and ecological diversity. It is also one of the most feasible areas of transition towards a more sustainable model and economic development based on socio-cultural and environmental values. One of the major challenges of the territory is to diversify its capacities by becoming a more resilient space, as it represents a demonstration site for sustainable development methods through research, observation, training, education and awareness-raising.
The Syndic of Aran, Maria Vergés, said that: “This distinction by UNESCO is a historic fact that reaffirms our commitment as a government to Aran and its people” and added that: “being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is also an important recognition in the line of action and to the country project that the Conselh Generau d’Aran government carries out reaffirming that we are on the right path to make Aran a territory with a future for its citizens, as well as to lead in the Pyrenees a joint strategy for sustainable development”.
The Val d’Aran is home to the Baqueira-Beret resort, considered a leader in the world of skiing in Spain. Atom Hoteles Socimi has a presence in the destination through the Hotel AC Baqueira Autograph Collection, one of the best modern high-mountain hotels, and a symbol of the company’s commitment to luxury.
