The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has approved the designation of 11 new biosphere reserves in 11 countries, in its World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The list includes, for the first time, Belgium and Ghambia, in addition to Colombia, Dominican, Italy, Mongolia, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Korea, Slovenia and Spain, the Paris-based organization said in a news release. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is a dynamic and interactive community of sites of excellence, managed by the Man and the Biosphere (MAB). Based on these new reserves covering 37,400 km, the network now includes 759 sites in 136 countries, it added. The decision was made during the 36th session of the International Coordination Council, which is the administrative body of UNESCO's MAB, held between Tuesday and Friday. Source: Kuwait News Agency