Sept 29, 2025.
The 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, held in Hangzhou, China from September 18th to 21st, 2023, was a landmark event for global biodiversity conservation.
As the first Congress convened after the Covid pandemic and at a critical juncture for the global sustainability agenda, it carried immense significance. Under the theme “World Network of Biosphere Reserves: Sustainability Laboratories for People and the Planet,” the Congress served as a crucial platform for reflection and forward-looking action.
A comprehensive review of the implementation of the Lima Action Plan (2016-2025) was conducted, leading to the most concrete outcome: the adoption of a new Action Plan and Strategy for Biosphere Reserves for the next decade (2023-2033).
This new framework aims to position Biosphere Reserves as primary instruments for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The discussions delved into key topics such as reinforcing the role of reserves in biodiversity conservation following the COP15 framework, exploring their potential as models for climate change mitigation and adaptation, highlighting youth engagement through the MAB Youth Forum, and leveraging innovations like remote sensing and AI for improved management and monitoring.
The legacy of the Hangzhou Congress is encapsulated in the Hangzhou Declaration, which reaffirms the international community’s commitment, and the new decadal Hangzhou Roadmap. This strategy emphasizes accelerated action for the SDGs, nature-based solutions, inclusive governance involving indigenous peoples and local communities, and strengthening the network through enhanced communication and cooperation.
The choice of Hangzhou to host the global conference was deeply symbolic, as China hosts a leading number of Biosphere Reserves and the West Lake Biosphere Reserve itself stands as a shining example of integrating conservation, ancient culture, and sustainable urban development.
In summary, the 5th Congress was a pivotal transitional event that built upon the lessons of the past decade to lay the foundation for an even more ambitious future, solidifying the role of Biosphere Reserves as living laboratories and beacons of hope for a sustainable future for both people and the planet.
Source: https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/mutimedia_news/202509/t20250928_1055775.shtml
China Environment News 