Opening remarks

Mr Xuexiang Ding, Vice-premier of the State Council, People's Republic of China

Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director General, UNESCO

Welcome statements

Mr Jianguo Hou, President, Chinese Academy of Sciences 

Mr Hao Wang, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhejiang Provincial Committee, the People's Republic of China

Ms Latifa Yaakoubi, Chair of the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme (MAB-ICC)

UNESCO conferred honorary recognition on the host city

The UNESCO Director-General confers marks of honor on the leaders of Hangzhou and Lin'an District.

Ministerial Session

Moderated by ADG/SC. Remarks by minister-level participants

Ms Shina Ansari, Deputy Vice President and President of the Department of Environment, the Islamic Republic of Iran 

Ms Nilda Borges da Mata, Minister of Environment, São Tomé and Príncipe

Mr Aram Meymaryan, Deputy Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia    

Mr Narend Singh, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of the Republic of South Africa  

Mr Baotong Dong, Vice Minister, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, People's Republic of China

Mr Guohong Liu, Administrator, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, People's Republic of China

Mr Bruno Angelet, Ambassador of Belgium to China and Mongolia    

Ms Sara Aagesen Muñoz, Third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Spain (video message)

To be confirmed

Mr Franz Tattenbach, Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica  

Ms Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi,Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania

Session 1 – Consideration of draft MAB Strategy and Action Plan

Objective: Review the progress achieved under the MAB Strategy (2015-2025) and the Lima Action Plan (2016-2025) within the current global context, and present the new MAB Strategy and Action Plan

Moderated by Ms Latifa Yaakoubi and Mr Qunli Han

Reflections on the past decade (2016-2025)

Video on the decade of Lima Action Plan: achievement and outlook

Keynote report: Reflections on the past decade of MAB Programme by Mr António Abreu, Secretary of MAB Programme

Keynote report: The contribution of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves to Global Biodiversity Conservation: Statues, Challenges and Opportunities, by Mr Zhiyun Ouyang, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Presentation of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (2026-2035)

Drafting process, and the content of the final draft

Ms. Natalia Beltrán, co-chair of the Drafting Group

Panel Discussion: Synergies with other biodiversity-related conventions and international organizations

Remarks by Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (video message)

Speakers

Mr Carlos Aldeco, FAO Representative in China and DPRK 

Mr Tim Badman, Director, World Heritage, IUCN Centre for Conservation Action, IUCN

Prof Zhi Lü, Co-Chair of the 2nd IPBES Global Assessment, Executive Director of Peking University Center for Nature and Society

Dr Carolina Adler, Co-Chair Advisory Board for the UN-declared International Year of Glaciers' Preservation 2025, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC Lead Author), Executive Director of Mountain Research Initiative

Mr Motohiro Hasegawa, Senior Advisor, Japan International Cooperation Agency; Member of the Informal Advisory Group on Technical and Scientific Cooperation (TSC IAG), Convention on Biological Diversity  

Ms Malene Nielsen, Deputy Permanent Delegate of Denmark to UNESCO

17:00 – 17:55

Comments and feedback 

Intervention from the floor 

Objective: This session will highlight the essential role of UNESCO's Category 2 Centres, UNESCO Chairs, and research institutions in advancing knowledge exchange and education to promote science-based solutions for biodiversity conservation. It will explore how these entities contribute to Objective C of the new Strategic Action Plan, which emphasizes the development of research and the exchange of knowledge from the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) to facilitate living in harmony with nature and inspire sustainable futures. The session will also address the role of UNESCO's Category 2 Centres and UNESCO Chairs and academia in general, in supporting biosphere reserves as living laboratories for interdisciplinary research, contributing to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda, while driving transformative change beyond 2030.

Moderated by Prof. Fernanda Rollo, New University of Lisbon, Portugal

Keynote speech: International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development

Mr Shaofeng Hu, Director of the Division of Science Policy and Capacity Building in the Natural Sciences Sector, International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable, UNESCO. 

Panel discussion: Presentations by the representatives of UNESCO Category 2 Centres, Chairs, and research institutions  

Speakers

Mr Huadong Guo, Director of International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST), Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Mr Baudouin Michel, Director of the Regional Postgraduate School of Integrated Management and Planning of Tropical Forests and Territories (ERAIFT), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mr Yulburm Lee, Director-General, Global Research and Training Centre for Internationally Designated Areas (GCIDA), Jeju Island, Republic of Korea

Ms Sjöfn Vilhelmsdóttir, Director, GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme (GRÓ LRT); GRÓ Category 2 Centre Reykjavík, Iceland

Prof. Dr. Carsten Mann, Academic Director,  Biosphere Reserve Institute (BRI), Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Germany

Question and Comments

Intervention from the floor

Panel discussion: Insights from UNESCO Chairs and Leading Experts

Speakers

Prof Aida Mammadova, Chairholder, UNESCO Chair on Intergenerational Learning for Sustainable Development, Kanazawa University, Japan  

Prof Helena Freitas, Chairholder, UNESCO Chair in Biodiversity and Conservation for Sustainable Development, University of Coimbra, Portugal

Prof Tania Moreno-Ramos, Executive Coordinator, UNESCO Chair on Biosphere Reserves and Natural World Heritage Sites, University for International Cooperation, Costa Rica.

Mr Siqi Liu, Co-founder and BGI Chief Scientist in Protein Sciences, BGI Group, China

Question and Comments 

Intervention from the floor

Objective: This session will underscore the critical role of innovative financing solutions and cross-sectoral collaboration in ensuring long-term sustainability, effective management, and resilience of biosphere reserves. Through a dynamic dialogue between financial institutions and the global biosphere reserve community, it will explore strategic approaches to mobilizing nature finance and fostering transformative partnerships. The discussion aims to advance Objective B of the new Strategic Action Plan, which highlights the need to strengthen the MAB Programme and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) through the mobilization of both human and financial resources.

Moderated by Mr. Julien Pellaux 

Session Introduction

Mr. Julien Pellaux, Director, Division for Partnerships, Bureau of Strategic Planning, UNESCO

Panel discussion: Nature Finance Led by Multilateral and International Financing Institutions

Speakers

Mr Qingfeng Zhang, Senior Director, Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Department Sector Office, Asian Development Bank 

Mr Giovanni Ruta (TBC), Lead Environmental Economist, World Bank

Ms Jing Xin, Representative, Kunming Biodiversity Fund

Ms Mbali Mashele, Project Coordinator, UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa

Question and Comments   

Following the panel discussion, the panelists are invited to remain on stage as the moderator opens the floor for comments and questions.

Panel discussion: Resource Mobilization through Bilateral and Government Cooperation

Speakers

Mr Nelson Castiaux, First Secretary (economy), Embassy of Belgium in China

Mr Geert Verreet, Advisor, Flanders Department of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy (WEWIS), Government of Flanders, Belgium

Mr Javier Pantoja Trigueros, Director, National Parks Autonomous Agency (OAPN), Spain  

TBC, French Development Agency (AFD) 

Ms June Marie Mow, Executive Director, Providence Foundation; Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Colombia

Question and Comments  

Following the panel discussion, the panelists are invited to remain on stage as the moderator opens the floor for comments and questions. 

Panel discussion: Innovative Contributions from the Private Sector and Multi-stakeholder Partnerships

Speakers

Ms Elena Salgado, President, Abertis Foundation, Spain 

Mr Xiaoying Wang, Director of Sustainable Development, Ant Group; Secretary-General, Ant Forest Foundation, China 

Ms Jingru Song, General Manager of the Nature Education Center, Chinese National Geography, China 

Prof Dr Ir. Yohanes Purwanto DEA,  Chairman, Indonesian Ethnobiology Society Association, Chairman of MAB Indonesian Association, The National Research and Innovation Agency, BRIN, Indonesia

Question and Comments

Following the panel discussion, the panelists are invited to remain on stage as the moderator opens the floor for comments and questions. 

Session 4 – Enhancing global, Regional and thematic networks

Objective: This session aims to highlight the role of regional and thematic networks in fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building among biosphere reserves. It will explore how these networks can align their efforts with shared priorities and act as platforms to collectively address complex biodiversity and sustainability challenges across different scales—local, national, regional, and global. This session will also highlight the key priorities, achievements, and challenges of regional and thematic MAB networks as they align with the new Strategic Action Plan.

Moderated by Dr Noëline Raondry Rakotoarisoa and Dr Miguel Clüsener-Godt

10:10 – 10:50

Panel discussion: Presentations by the representatives of the Regional Networks 

Speakers

Mr Telesphore Ngoga, Conservation Analyst, Rwanda Development Board, representative of AfriMAB 

Ms Aseela Al Moalla, Director of the Fujairah Environment Authority, United Arab Emirates, Chair of the ArabMAB  

Mr Dato Cheok Lay Leng, General Manager of Penang Hill Corporation, Malaysia, Representative of Asian Biosphere Reserve Network  

Mr Jean-Philippe Messier, director of the Manicouagan-Uapishka UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (RMBMU), Canada, representative of EuroMAB

Ms Rosario Barrera, Specialist at the National Service of Natural Protected Areas (SERNANP), MAB-Peru technical focal point, Vice-President of the IberoMAB Network Board

Question and Comments 

Intervention from the floor 

Panel discussion: Presentations by the representatives of the Thematic Networks

Speakers

Prof Xu Weihua, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, Technical Secretariat of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserve

Ms Georgina Flamme, director of the Abertis Foundation, Representative of Mediterranean Network of Biosphere Reserves, Spain 

Mr Alex Cortada, Environmental technician, Coordinator of the Menorca Secretariat of the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves 

Ms Helena Freitas, Full Professor at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. Representative of  the Network of Biosphere Reserves in the Portuguese Speaking Countries Community (CPLP-MAB)  

Mr Clayton Lino, Coordinator of International Cooperation for the Brazilian Biosphere Reserves Network and the Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve. RepresentativNetworke of the CaveMAB Network.

Question and Comments 

Intervention from the floor (2-3 min interventions)

Session 5 – Biosphere Reserve Dialogue

Objective: With the aim of stimulating action at all levels of the MAB Programme, this panel highlights people, particularly those who have been historically marginalized in biosphere reserve governance, and their fundamental role as stewards, champions and leaders of conservation and sustainable development in their biosphere reserves and across the world. It also showcases some examples of good practice that provide insight and guidance for addressing exclusion from across the world. Specifically, discussion will focus on the unique rights, contributions and vulnerabilities of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), Youth and Women.

Moderator: Barsha Lekhi, UNESCO Indigenous Engagement Specialist, FU/KAT

Section Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Panel

Moderator: Barsha Lekhi / Serena Heckler

UNESCO ADG Sciences – Ms Lidia Brito to present the UNESCO publication "Indigenous knowledge, Ancestral Places: Navigating Change in UNESCO Designated Sites"

Section Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Panel

Moderator: Barsha Lekhi / Serena Heckler

UNESCO ADG Sciences – Ms Lidia Brito to present the UNESCO publication "Indigenous knowledge, Ancestral Places: Navigating Change in UNESCO Designated Sites"

Speakers

International Indigenous People's Forum for World Heritage—The role of the IIPFWH for UNESCO site governance (video)

Case study from LAC: Rosario Barrera Caceres, MAB Peru, Vice-President, IberoMAB Network—IberoMAB Action Framework for Indigenous and Afrodescendant Rights in LAC Biosphere Reserves

Case study from Asia: Custodians of the Kanchenjunga—Building a biosphere reserve in Kanchenjunga Conservation Area with indigenous knowledge and science (Nepal) (Barsha Lekhi)

Case study from Africa: Cybertracker for community-based monitoring in Okavango World Heritage Site, UNESCO Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) Programme (video)

Question and Comments 

Intervention from the floor

MAB Youth Presentation and Panel 

Moderator: Barsha Lekhi / Kelly Cerialo

Speakers

AfriMAB Youth Delegate 

ArabMAB Youth Delegate

Asia Pacific Youth Delegate

EuroMAB Youth Delegate

IberoMAB Youth Delegate

Question and Comments

Intervention from the floor

Women in Biosphere Reserves

Moderator: Barsha Lekhi

Speakers 

Ms. Kaline Rossi, Amazon Project focal point working on the creation of the Women's network of the Central Amazon Biosphere Reserve

Ms. Sheila Ashong, Director, natural resources /coordinator, Mabghana environmental protection authority

Ms. Neha Midha, UNESCO national officer New Delhi

Ms. Beni Rodríguez, Manager of the Alto Bernesga Biosphere Reserve and Chair of the Network of Biosphere Reserve Managers in Spain

Question and Comments 

Intervention from the floor 

Endorsement of the new Strategy and Action Plan and the Hangzhou Declaration

A brief recap of the Ministerial session (particularly on potential commitments and aspirations)

Moderators providing a recap of outcomes/recommendations from the Sessions 1-5

Presentation of the Hangzhou Declaration

Endorsement of the new MAB strategy and Hangzhou Declaration

Closing session

Closing remarks by:

Representative of the host country (CAS and Hangzhou city)

UNESCO General Conference President 

Representative of UNESCO: ADG/SC 

Secretary of the MAB Programme