With nearly thirty new designations this year, our World Network of Biosphere Reserves has reached a major milestone, now protecting 5% of the planet. Within these reserves, new ways of balancing nature conservation with sustainable livelihoods are being forged every day. UNESCO will continue to mobilize States, scientists, civil society, and local and Indigenous communities to continue this positive momentum.
Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General
This week, UNESCO gathered more than 2,000 international experts, public decision-makers, civil society, Indigenous representatives and youth for the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, to take stock of the achievements of this historic UNESCO programme, and chart its course for the coming decade. During the Congress, Audrey Azoulay invited every Member State to establish at least one biosphere reserve by 2035.
First designations in six countries and new reserves worldwide
Today, six countries are seeing the designation of their first biosphere reserve: Angola, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Iceland, Oman and Tajikistan.
In addition to these six, new reserves have also been designated in Albania, China, Ethiopia, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and Sweden. São Tomé and Príncipe becomes the first State to have its entire territory designated as a biosphere reserve.
A model of protection that's gaining momentum
UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years: since 2018, 142 new biosphere reserves have brought an additional one million km² of additional natural areas under protection. Today, the 785 reserves cover over 8 million km² - equivalent to the size of Australia - and directly benefit the nearly 300 million people who live within these areas.
Since 1971, biosphere reserves have played a central role in UNESCO's environmental mission. Alongside natural World Heritage sites and Global Geoparks, they contribute to protecting more than 13 million km² of terrestrial and marine ecosystems under UNESCO's umbrella, advancing the global Kunming-Montreal target of conserving 30% of land and sea by 2030.
With the entry into force of the BBNJ Treaty in January 2026, countries will be able to designate and manage protected areas in the high seas, backed by science and robust management plans. Through its marine World Heritage sites, biosphere reserves and marine geoparks, UNESCO already safeguards more than 4.1 million km² - an area equivalent to the Mediterranean Sea.
"Living laboratories" as a solution to climate challenges
Biosphere reserves safeguard some of the planet's richest and most fragile ecosystems. They harbour a significant share of global biodiversity - including more than 60% of terrestrial vertebrate species, 12% of mapped mangroves, 10% of salt marshes and 8% of the world's seagrass meadows.
They foster local and community initiatives and serve as learning grounds for younger generations, through educational programmes tailored to schools as well as to local and Indigenous communities.
Partnerships with the private sector further strengthen these efforts. For example, the Amazonia Project, deployed across eight biosphere reserves with support from LVMH, combines Indigenous knowledge with modern science. It has already supported more than 40 local initiatives, creating sustainable green jobs in agroforestry and regenerative agriculture, while strengthening forest and biodiversity protection against wildfires.
Newly Designated Biosphere Reserves
- Albania - Vjosa Valley Biosphere Reserve
- Angola - Quiçama Biosphere Reserve
- China
- Daqingshan Biosphere Reserve
- Zhouzhi Biosphere Reserve
- Djibouti - Archipel des Sept Frères - Ras Siyyan - Khor Angar - Godoria Biosphere Reserve
- Equatorial Guinea - Isla de Bioko Biosphere Reserve
- Ethiopia - Anywaa Forest Biosphere Reserve
- France
- Lac du Bourget, between the Rhône and the Alps Biosphere Reserve
- Marshes and Tides between the Loire and the Vilaine Biosphere Reserve
- Greece - Mount Parnon - Cape Maleas Biosphere Reserve
- Iceland - Snæfellsnes Biosphere Reserve
- India - Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve
- Indonesia - Raja Ampat Biosphere Reserve
- Jordan
- Ajloun Biosphere Reserve
- Yarmouk Biosphere Reserve
- Madagascar
- Mantadia Biosphere Reserve
- Tsimembo Biosphere Reserve
- Malaysia - Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve
- Mongolia - Khomyn Tal Biosphere Reserve
- Oman
- Al Jabal Al Akhdar Biosphere Reserve
- Sirrin Biosphere Reserve
- Portugal - Arrábida Biosphere Reserve
- Saudi Arabia - Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Biosphere Reserve
- São Tomé and Príncipe - Ilha de São Tomé Biosphere Reserve
- Sweden - Storkriket Biosphere Reserve
Tajikistan - Romit Biosphere Reserve
About UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.
"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.
