Arrábida, Quiçama, Bioko and São Tomé recognized as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves

Arrábida (Portugal), Quiçama (Angola), Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea) and São Tomé Island (São Tomé and Príncipe) have had their applications approved, and their territories have been recognized as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

With this decision, Portugal now counts 13 Biosphere Reserves, and São Tomé and Príncipe becomes the first country in the world to have its entire territory recognized as a Biosphere Reserve. The approval of the Quiçama Biosphere Reserve marks the creation of Angola’s first Biosphere Reserve, while Bioko Island becomes the first in Equatorial Guinea, signaling both countries’ entry into UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves and into the CPLP MaB Network — the Network of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.

The decision was taken during the 37th session of the International Coordinating Council, the main governing body of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Programme, meeting since yesterday, 26 September, in Hangzhou, China, following the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves.

This further strengthens the CPLP Biosphere Reserve Network, expanding the commitment to biodiversity conservation and to economic and social development in Portuguese-speaking territories.

 

 

An additional 22 Biosphere Reserves were also approved. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now comprises 785 sites in 142 countries, protecting 5% of the Planet.

The data available on the Biosphere Reserves Portal will be updated shortly.