UNESCO biosphere reserves balance conservation with local development

UNESCO and international partners use biosphere reserves to combine biodiversity protection with sustainable development and scientific research.

These designated areas demonstrate how local communities can thrive while ecosystems are protected. The network currently includes 797 sites across 145 countries, covering more than 5 percent of the Earth's land surface. The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan, Armenia, recently concluded a global review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The review found that the world is currently off track to meet 23 targets set for 2030, which include conserving at least 30 percent of terrestrial and inland water areas. In response, parties adopted nearly 50 decisions and the Yerevan Pathway to accelerate implementation and increase support for developing countries. The Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan provides a roadmap for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves from 2026 to 2035.

The plan includes 34 voluntary action targets and encourages cooperation with Indigenous Peoples and local communities. China currently hosts 36 of these reserves, including the Daqingshan Biosphere Reserve in Inner Mongolia and the Zhouzhi Biosphere Reserve in Shaanxi. Restoration projects in China also show how ecological recovery supports people. In Baotou, Inner Mongolia, wetlands along the Yellow River provide habitat for 100,000 migratory birds each year.

At Dianchi Lake in Yunnan Province, restoration efforts increased the density of submerged plants from less than 2 percent to 60 percent. Researchers at Dianchi Lake use an AI-powered monitoring system with cameras and drones to identify bird species with more than 90 percent accuracy. China also contributed 400 million yuan to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund to support projects in 45 developing countries.