Barcelona, 23rd January 2020

The Abertis Foundation, through the UNESCO International Centre for Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves (CIURBM), will promote a study for the recovery of the Terres de l'Ebre biosphere reserve, which will focus on the natural areas that have been seriously affected by the passage of the "Gloria" storm this week. According to the director of the Foundation, Sergi Loughney, "with this study, we want to contribute to the generation of resources for the recovery of the area, of a very high natural value, and for that we will also look for the collaboration of the administrations and entities involved".

Terres de l'Ebre, declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2013, presents a high biodiversity, consequence of a varied relief and a strategic geographical situation. With a total surface of 367.729 hectares, the reserve goes from the dunes of the Delta of the river Ebro to the beech forests of Retaule, one of the most southern in Europe. The Ebro Delta is also one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean.

UNESCO International Centre for Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves

The institutional headquarters of the Abertis Foundation, located in the castle of Castellet (Barcelona), was declared a UNESCO International Centre for Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves (CIURBM) in 2013. This is the first experience of public-private partnership in the field of Category 2 centres of the network of Biosphere Reserves, recognized by the organization belonging to the United Nations.

The more than 70 territories that make up the Network of Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves (RRBMed) include a set of diverse and representative sites that are home to an exceptional heritage related to biodiversity, landscapes and cultural expressions. The quality of these environmental and cultural resources places the Mediterranean biosphere reserves as places of excellence for the promotion of sustainable tourism in all its forms, in a unique environment of two coasts united by their culture and nature.

Since its creation, the UNESCO International Centre has consolidated itself as a centre for the dissemination of ideas, projects and knowledge, which serves as a stimulus to interest in cultural and natural heritage, being a paradigm of sustainable heritage management.