World's Largest Biosphere Reserve Summit to Open in Hangzhou, China
The 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR) will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, from September 22 to 25, 2025, marking the first time the event has been staged in Asia. It is expected to be the most widely attended in the history of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), bringing together about 4,000 delegates from more than 150 countries and regions.
Press conference [Photo/Jin Liwang, Xinhua]
A press conference jointly hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, the Ministry of Education (Chinese National Commission for UNESCO), the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, provided an overview of the upcoming congress.
At the briefing, HE Hongping, Vice President of CAS, outlined preparations for the congress and highlighted China's experience in applying science and technology to support ecological civilization.
The congress will release two key documents: the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan for UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2026–2035), a landmark ten-year blueprint for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves; and the Hangzhou Declaration, which affirms China's commitment to working with the international community to address ecological challenges and to build "a shared future for humans and nature."
Guided by President XI Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has recorded historic gains in ecosystem protection. CAS, the chair institution of the Chinese National Committee for MAB, in collaboration with partners, has advanced scientific conservation work through the China Biosphere Reserve Network. This includes research on endangered species, systematic monitoring of ecosystems and species, integration and application of new technologies, and science-based strategic consulting. These efforts have provided robust scientific and technological support for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
"On the 20th anniversary of the Two Mountains concept — 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets' — China looks forward to further deepening international scientific cooperation through the congress," HE Hongping said. "We will continue to work with global partners to deliver scalable, cost-effective technologies and replicable experiences that benefit humans and nature."
Representatives from line ministries also addressed media inquiries on a range of topics, including China's participation in UNESCO's international science programs, biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of aquatic biological resources, the development of protected area systems, and local practices.
At the press conference, the Ministry of Education (Chinese National Commission for UNESCO) highlighted China's active participation in UNESCO's major scientific initiatives, contributing to global science governance and hosting several key meetings. Cooperation has continued to deepen, with Chinese-led projects—such as the Deep-Time Digital Earth initiative—integrated into UNESCO's action plans. These efforts have supported the Global Development Initiative and accelerated progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment noted that the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework provides a blueprint for global biodiversity governance. China is advancing its implementation by strengthening science and technology support and expanding conservation measures. For example, leveraging the national ecological protection redline supervision platform, China has applied satellite remote sensing, drones, and artificial intelligence to enhance multi-scale, multi-level data collection, while establishing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation network.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs upholds the principle of "giving equal emphasis to protection and development, and advancing production in harmony with ecology," taking a comprehensive, science-based approach to conserving aquatic resources. Efforts include conducting surveys, monitoring and assessments; establishing and managing conservation areas for aquatic germplasm resources; implementing seasonal fishing moratoriums; regulating stock enhancement and release; developing marine ranching and ecological fisheries; and strengthening law enforcement. These measures aim to achieve the integrated unity of ecological protection, fisheries development, and improved livelihoods, and to promote harmony between people and nature.
The National Forestry and Grassland Administration emphasized that protected areas are central to China's ecological security. To this end, China is employing advanced technologies to build an integrated "sky-space-ground" monitoring system and an ecological sensing network. It is hoped that these tools will help evaluate conservation outcomes, monitor flagship species, regulate human activities, and prevent wildlife-related risks, thereby significantly enhancing the effectiveness of conservation, management, and protection efforts.
Representatives from Zhejiang Province highlighted local achievements in biodiversity conservation and ecological development. Populations of rare species such as the Chinese crested tern and South China sika deer have increased in recent years, while the critically endangered Baishanzu fir, once reduced to only three surviving individuals, has been propagated to more than 5,000 seedlings. Zhejiang has also launched a "zero-carbon congress" initiative with Ant Forest, engaging 3.35 million participants and generating 4,452 tons of carbon credits—surpassing the congress' estimated emissions of 3,000 tons.
China's scientific and technological advances in ecological civilization will provide strong support for the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan, contributing Chinese solutions to the global effort to build a shared future for humans and nature.
