UNESCO has announced the designation of 26 new biosphere reserves spread across 21 countries – the highest number recorded in the last two decades. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves thus reaches 784 sites in 142 nations, demonstrating a growing global commitment towards the conservation of ecosystems and the promotion of sustainable development models.
The new designations were made official during the 37th session of the International Coordination Council of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme, which was held from 26 to 28 September in the Lin’An district of Hangzhou, China. The event coincided with the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, which brought together over 2,000 international experts, policy makers, civil society representatives, indigenous communities and young people to take stock of the program’s achievements and outline guidelines for the next decade.
An unprecedented expansion since 2018
From 2018 to today, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program has experienced extraordinary growth. Over this time, 142 new biosphere reserves have led to the protection of an additional million square kilometers of natural areas, an area equivalent to that of Bolivia. Currently, the 784 reserves cover more than 8 million square kilometers worldwide, an area comparable to the size of Australia, and generate direct benefits for almost 300 million people who live there.
During the Hangzhou Congress, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay launched an ambitious appeal: to invite each member state to establish at least one biosphere reserve by 2035. The objective is to strengthen the global network and contribute substantially to achieving the Kunming-Montréal target, which envisages the conservation of 30% of emerged and marine lands by 2030.
Six countries debut in the global network
Among the 26 new designations, six nations welcomed their first biosphere reserve: Angola, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Iceland, Oman and Tajikistan. This achievement represents a significant step for these States in the field of environmental protection and international recognition of their ecosystems.
A particularly emblematic case is that of São Tomé and Príncipe, which becomes the first state in the world to have the entire national territory designated as a biosphere reserve. The African archipelago, thanks to the Ilha de São Tomé Biosphere Reserve, thus establishes a unique precedent in the global panorama of conservation.
The six new European reserves
Europe welcomes six new biosphere reserves, spread across five countries. France adds two: Lake Bourget, located between the Rhone and the Alps, and the Marshes and Tides between the Loire and the Vilaine. These are highly valuable aquatic ecosystems, which combine biodiversity and human presence in a delicate balance.
Greece designates Mount Parnone – Cape Maleas, an area that represents one of the last refuges of Mediterranean biodiversity, Iceland inaugurates its first reserve with Snæfellsnes, a volcanic peninsula rich in landscape contrasts, while Portugal adds Arrábida, a coastal territory of considerable ecological importance. Finally, Sweden contributes Storkriket, and Albania brings the Vjosa Valley, one of the last wild rivers in Europe, into the network.
Asia, Africa and the Middle East complete the picture
The other designations are distributed across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. China, which hosts the Congress, adds two new reservations: Daqingshan and Zhouzhi. India designates the Cold Desert, a unique Himalayan ecosystem and Indonesia brings Raja Ampat, an archipelago of extraordinary marine richness, into the network.
The Middle East sees the entry of Oman with Al Jabal Al Akhdar and Sirrin, Jordan with Ajloun and Yarmouk, and Saudi Arabia with Imam Turki Bin Abdullah. Africa contributes with Angola (Quiçama), Ethiopia (Anywaa Forest), Madagascar (Mantadia and Tsimembo) and the aforementioned São Tomé and Príncipe. Malaysia with Kinabatangan and Mongolia with Khomyn Tal complete the picture.
Living laboratories to address climate challenges
Biosphere reserves function as “living laboratories” where models of coexistence between human activities and nature conservation are tested. They are home to a major share of global biodiversity, including more than 60% of terrestrial vertebrate species, 12% of mapped mangroves, 10% of salt marshes and 8% of seagrass beds in the world.
These sites promote local and community initiatives, serve as places of learning for new generations through educational programs dedicated to schools and indigenous communities. Partnerships with the private sector strengthen conservation efforts: the Amazon Project, implemented in eight reserves with the support of LVMH, is a concrete example, where indigenous knowledge and modern science are combined, and which has already supported over 40 local initiatives creating green jobs in agroforestry and regenerative agriculture.
Since 1971, biosphere reserves have played a central role in UNESCO’s environmental mission and, together with natural World Heritage sites and Global Geoparks, protect over 13 million square kilometers of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, demonstrating how conservation can go hand in hand with the well-being of local communities.
The 26 new Biosphere Reserves
We leave you with the complete list with the 26 new entries:
