Luanda - The Angola's candidature on the proposed for creation of biosphere reserve in the National Park of Iona, south-western Namibe province, will be submitted next September, announced the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in the Southern Africa region.

According to UNESCO expert, the official in charge of monitoring the implementation of Man and Biosphere project, Martin Hofman, this biosphere, the first of its kind in Angola, will be set up in the coming years.

The official said this at the presentation Wednesday of the theme on "Biosphere Reserves:

Criteria and Characteristics ", during the first Technical Seminar of National Parks and Conservation Areas.

According to Martin Hofman, there are national and foreign partners working for the idealization and materialisation of this intention, aimed at conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.

The creation of a biosphere reserve (areas of marine and land ecosystems), recognized by UNESCO, has the functions for economic and human development (cultural and social), environmentally sustainable of biodiversity and cultural diversity, laboratory of scientific research, explained the expert.

Martin Hotman also said that after identifying the area, the second step is to find the name for this biosphere reserve and discussion its zoning by consulting local and public authorities.

In addition to the Biosphere Reserve of Namibe, it is also expected the creation of another one in the region of Cabinda.

UNESCO recognises currently 545 biosphere reserves in the Earth Planet.