5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves and 37th session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Programme

From September 22 to 26, 2025, more than 2,000 participants—including scientists, policymakers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and conservationists—will gather to shape the future of more than 750 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in 136 countries in Hangzhou, China.

Overall, discussions will focus on the contributions of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves to the global biodiversity and sustainable development agenda, aligning efforts with key international frameworks such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development.

The 37th session of the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Programme will follow, resulting, among other decisions, in the strengthening of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, with the approval of new BRs.