The World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), covering 5% of the surface of the Earth and spanning all major ecosystem types, is a repertoire of vital ecological and social systems in which interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable development are implemented and refined. Hosted by the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Network comprises 759 biosphere reserves to date and includes 55 transboundary sites. These country-nominated sites are reviewed periodically every ten years.

Convening for the fifth time, the World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR) will review progress made over the last ten years in implementing the MAB Programme Strategy (2015-2025) and the Lima Action Plan (2016-2025) established at WCBR-4 in Lima, Peru, in 2016. Countries will deliberate on strategic priorities for the future to inform and develop the Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2035.

Alongside serving as a platform to strengthen collaboration across geographies and levels of governance, the Congress will address synergies with other biodiversity-related conventions. Meeting past the halfway point of key global frameworks’ timelines, namely the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, countries will discuss the contributions of biosphere reserves towards implementing and meeting these frameworks’ objectives.

The fifth Congress will consider approaches to fostering partnerships for strengthening implementation and optimizing limited resources through synergies with other multilateral environmental processes. The role of and progress made by  thematic and regional networks of biosphere reserves in promoting capacity building, knowledge exchange, and collaboration will also be assessed. In addition, discussions will address the roles of stakeholders who steward biosphere reserves but have been historically marginalized from decision-making processes.

Key to the long-term resilience and sustainable management of the WNBR, countries will assess innovative pathways to unlocking financing and resources for biosphere reserves.

WCBR-5 convenes in Hangzhou, China, from 22-26 September 2025, and will be followed by the 37th session of the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme, from 26-28 September 2025.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting are Emma Vovk, Mike Muzurakis, and Asterios Tsioumanis, Ph.D. The Digital Editor is Andrés Carvajal. The Editor is Leila Mead.