A Model for the Future

The Fifth World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, hosted by China in 2024, promises to be a landmark event for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Experts and officials gathered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to mark the one-year countdown to the congress, highlighting its potential as a model and exemplar for the future.

Antonio Abreu, director of UNESCO's Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, expressed high expectations for the congress and council meeting. He was particularly impressed by the Tianmushan Biosphere Reserve, which he inspected during the event.

"China is really expressing the relationship between man and nature," Abreu said. "Here, we see the full dimensions of nature conservation, scientific understanding and knowledge, while also bringing together landscape concerns, water management, and integrating heritage and culture."

The congress, held every 10 years, is the largest international conference in the Man and the Biosphere Programme. This will be the first congress held in the Asia-Pacific region.

"I am sure that it will be a landmark event for the Man and the Biosphere Programme, and I cannot think of a better place to design and envision the future," Abreu said. "Led by UNESCO and China, all nations of the world can work together to shape the next 10-year strategy."

The Tianmushan Biosphere Reserve, designated in 1996, was the first reserve in Zhejiang to be included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. In July 2023, it was expanded to 547 sq km, incorporating the Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve and enhancing the integrity of the reserve's ecosystem.

"Applying for expansion requires submitting a series of findings, including biodiversity characteristics, species status, and community planning, which typically involves a long process," said Han Qunli, a member of the advisory committee of the Chinese National Committee for the Man and the Biosphere Programme. "However, Lin'an achieved this in just two years."

The Fifth World Congress of Biosphere Reserves promises to be a significant event, shaping the future of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and highlighting the importance of collaboration between nations in protecting our planet.