APJM Participates in the ArabMAB Regional Workshop in Fujairah, UAE
Antoinette Badran, Ecotourism Manager at the Association for the Protection of Jabal Moussa (APJM), represented the organization at the regional workshop “Sustainable Mountains: Enhancing Conservation, Climate Adaptation, and Community Partnerships in Arab Biosphere Reserves,” held in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, from 18 to 22 November 2025.
The event was organized by the Fujairah Environment Authority, in collaboration with the ArabMAB Network of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
During her presentation, Antoinette highlighted APJM’s ongoing engagement within the RES-MAB project, showcasing key achievements that advance integrated Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus solutions in the Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve.
She emphasized the central role of community engagement, not only in planning and implementation, but also in celebrating collective successes with local stakeholders. Antoinette presented concrete examples already underway, including:
- Rehabilitation of ancestral water springs, supporting both ecological restoration and local water security;
- Training a new generation of ecotourism guides, equipped with an understanding of the WEFE Nexus and sustainable tourism principles.
She also outlined APJM’s forward-looking plans, particularly the development of sustainable business models that aim to reinforce local livelihoods while preserving natural and cultural heritage.
About the RES-MAB Project:
The RES-MAB Project, funded by the PRIMA Foundation and coordinated by the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), focuses on applying the WEFE Nexus approach, integrating Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems, across ten Biosphere Reserve demonstration sites. These sites serve as “living laboratories” to test innovative solutions for climate resilience and sustainable development.
The project brings together partners from around the Mediterranean, namely: from Spain (Alto Bernesga Biosphere Reserve Foundation), Jordan (Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature), France (Mont-Ventoux Natural Regional Park and Organization for the Defense and Management of AOC Ventoux), Italy (Veneto Regional Park of Po Delta Authority and Istituto Oikos), Slovenia (Public Institute Park Skocjan Caves), Morocco (National Agency for the Development of Oases and Argan Zones), and Lebanon (Association for the Protection of Jabal Moussa).