Event ID: 41 Title: From Research to Resilience: Empowering Biosphere Reserves under the framework of the Science Decade

In August 2023, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2024–2033 as the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD), with UNESCO designated to lead its implementation. Taking the occasion of the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, UNESCO and BOE, a strategic partner of the Science Decade, are co-organizing this side event. The event aims to empower biosphere reserves as key sites for science-based solutions, innovation, and inclusive community engagement, in line with the 2026–2035 MAB Strategy and Action Plan.

Preliminary Agenda
Time
ContentSpeaker
13: 10

Opening Remarks

Ms. Lidia Brito

Assistant Director-General, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO

13: 15Opening Remarks

Mr. Narend Singh

Deputy Minister, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa

13: 20Opening Remarks

Mr. Meymaryan

Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia, Armenia

13: 25Science Decade Video Projection
13: 30

Keynote

The Science Decade: Opportunities for Biosphere Reserves and Sustainable Development

Mr. Shaofeng Hu

Director, Division of Science Policies and Basic Sciences, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO

13:45Panel Discussion

Moderator: Mr. Shaofeng Hu, Director, Division of Science Policies and Basic Sciences, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO 

Panelists:

Ms. Latifa Yaakoubi, Chair of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, Morocco

Ms. Maria Fernanda Rollo, Professor, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, IDSSD Advisory Committee Member, Portugal

Mr. Zhang Qingfeng, Senior Director, Asian Development Bank, China

Mr. Eduardo Taveira, Secretary of the Environmental Ministry of the State of Amazonas, representative of the coordination of the Central Amazon Biosphere, Brazil

Dr. Jian Wang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Director of Zhejiang Lab, and Founder of Alibaba Cloud, China

14:40Closing RemarksMr. Yanshun Chen, Chairman of Executive Committee, BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., China