UNESCO 5^th WCBR Event Page: http://unesco.org/en/articles/5th-world-congress-biosphere-reserves?forms_steps=articles&step=step_2&instance_id=2fd6af97-bc85-4c95-89f3-7eea6c5c7eb4 

The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, established in 1971, promotes the sustainable management of biodiversity and human-nature interactions. The programme operates through the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), which currently includes 759 biosphere reserves across 136 countries, covering approximately 5% of the Earth's land surface.

Every ten years, UNESCO convenes the World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR) to evaluate progress, share experiences, and set future directions for the MAB Programme. The last WCBR was held in Lima, Peru (2016), where the Lima Action Plan (2016–2025) was adopted. The 5^th WCBR, will be held in Hangzhou together with the 37^th session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the MAB Programme, from 22 to 26 September 2025.

The 5^th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR) marks a pivotal moment for the MAB Programme, shaping the 2026–2035 MAB Strategy and Action Plan and setting its trajectory for the coming decade in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global biodiversity targets, and the Lima Action Plan's legacy.

By fostering dynamic networks and global collaboration, the 5^th WCBR will reinforce biosphere reserves as global models for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods and pioneering hubs for conservation science, community-led innovation, and scalable solutions—guiding humanity toward a more harmonious relationship with nature.