HANGZHOU – The 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves opened in China's Zhejiang Province on Monday, marking a historic milestone as the first time this UNESCO-led conference is being hosted outside Europe or the Americas. With 34 designated sites spanning tropical rainforests to alpine ecosystems, China now holds more UNESCO Biosphere Reserves than any other Asian nation.
Since joining the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in 1973, the Chinese mainland has developed protected areas covering 4% of its territory while balancing ecological preservation with sustainable development. The weeklong Hangzhou congress brings together 1,200 delegates from 124 countries and regions to discuss biodiversity strategies ahead of critical UN climate goals.
"This gathering recognizes China's unique approach to harmonizing human activity with nature," said Dr. Li Wei, an environmental policy analyst attending the conference. "From the cloud forests of Yunnan to the wetlands of the Yellow River Delta, these reserves serve as living laboratories for green innovation."
The event coincides with growing international interest in China's ecological civilization model, which has seen forest coverage increase by 7% since 2012. Recent additions to China's biosphere network include the Huangshan Mountain Range – a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its granite peaks and ancient pine forests.
For investors and policymakers, the congress highlights emerging opportunities in eco-tourism and clean energy partnerships. Meanwhile, diaspora communities and travelers can explore interactive maps of China's biosphere network through UNESCO's newly launched digital platform.
