International Day for Biosphere Reserves

That the Parliament recognises 3 November as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves, a day established by UNESCO to celebrate the contribution that biosphere reserves make to conservation, sustainable development, research, education and community wellbeing; congratulates the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere on its continuing work to support people and nature across south-west Scotland; notes that the Biosphere, which was designated by UNESCO in 2012, is the largest biosphere reserve in the UK, covering almost 9,800 km² of land and sea across Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire, and is internationally recognised as a world-class environment for people and nature; acknowledges the Biosphere's role in promoting nature restoration, climate resilience, sustainable tourism, community-led development, environmental education and local economic opportunity; notes that NatureScot recommends a “better resourced and more influential” UNESCO biosphere, and acknowledges the importance of continued support for the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere in delivering benefits for nature, rural economies and local communities.