UNESCO deeply saddened by passing of Professor Driss Fassi

UNESCO, and in particular the family of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, is saddened by the loss of one of the programme’s major figures for decades, Prof. Driss Fassi.

Professor Farsi was an outstanding man and scientist who made an exceptional contribution to the success and quality of the MAB Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves. With dozens of relevant scientific publications in the field of natural sciences, but always from an integrated perspective, Prof. Fassi inspired thousands of students and colleagues who benefited from his integrative vision, well reflected in the current concept of UNESCO biosphere reserves.

Within the framework of UNESCO's MAB Programme, Professor Fassi has held the most important positions representing his country, including Chairman of the International Co-ordinating Council of the MAB Programme between 2002 and 2004, member of the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves for various periods (1996-2006 and 2015-2022) and member of the Council's Bureau until recently. At national level, he has developed a remarkable career, contributing decisively to the establishment and success of various biosphere reserves and in various geographical and thematic networks such as the Arab MAB network or the REDBIOS network.

In 2017, he was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor at Mohamed V University in Rabat, the corollary of an extraordinary academic and scientific career at national and international level. In addition to his scientific excellence, Prof. Fassi was a true diplomat, whose wise counsel will be sorely missed by UNESCO's MAB family.

On behalf of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, UNESCO and the Secretariat of the MAB Programme send their most sincere condolences to Prof. Fassi's family and friends, and to the Kingdom of Morocco, the country that Prof. Fassi never tired of promoting and that he loved so much. May he rest in peace.