UNESCO has announced the addition of 26 new biosphere reserves worldwide, highlighting the urgent need to safeguard fragile ecosystems in the face of climate change. The new designations, revealed during a global meeting in Hangzhou, China, expand the program’s network to 785 reserves in 142 countries.
Among the newly recognized sites is Quiçama Biosphere Reserve in Angola, covering 206 kilometers of Atlantic coastline. The reserve features diverse landscapes of savannahs, forests, flood plains, and estuaries. It is home to elephants, manatees, sea turtles, and over 200 bird species. Local communities sustain their livelihoods through livestock herding, fishing, farming, and honey production, with the biosphere status expected to foster conservation-friendly development.
In Asia, Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago has been designated a biosphere reserve. Stretching across 135,000 square kilometers, it harbors more than 75% of Earth’s coral species, alongside rare sea turtles and lush rainforests. The region’s economy thrives on fishing, aquaculture, small-scale farming, and tourism, all of which UNESCO emphasizes must balance with environmental protection.
Meanwhile, Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Biosphere Reserve encompasses volcanic peaks, glaciers, wetlands, and grasslands across 1,460 square kilometers. The area shelters seabirds, seals, and over 70% of the nation’s plant species, including hundreds of wildflowers and ferns. Its 4,000 residents depend on fishing, sheep farming, and tourism.
UNESCO’s biosphere program goes beyond creating strictly protected areas. It requires cooperation between scientists, local residents, and governments to integrate biodiversity conservation with social and economic development. António Abreu, head of the program, stressed that “conflict and misunderstanding can result if local communities are left out of decision-making.”
Practical collaboration has already shown results in other parts of the world. In the Philippines, scientists worked with fishing communities to rebuild coral reefs damaged by destructive fishing practices. By combining aquaculture with conservation, both food security and ecological recovery were achieved.
With climate threats intensifying, UNESCO’s 10-year strategic plan prioritizes research, community involvement, and ecosystem restoration. The new biosphere reserves represent a global commitment to protecting biodiversity while ensuring sustainable livelihoods.
