40 years of accompanying and supporting World Biosphere Reserve Network

After four decades of engagement, MAB Vietnam stands out as a regional leader in linking nature conservation, community development, and international cooperation under the new Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan.

The year 2025 marks a special milestone, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam National Committee for the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB Vietnam) (1985–2025) and the 25th anniversary of the formation and development of Vietnam's network of 11 World Biosphere Reserves (WBRs) (2000 - 2025).

Since the first WBR, Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, was recognized in 2000, MAB Vietnam has consistently stood by the WBRs through many difficulties and challenges, striving to promote nature conservation harmonized with socio-economic development and cultural value preservation. To date, Vietnam's WBR Network has expanded rapidly to 11 sites stretching from North to South. The achievements over the past period not only affirm the position of Vietnam’s WBR Network regionally and globally but also contribute to realizing the nation's sustainable development goals.

Over the past four decades, Vietnam's WBRs have fulfilled their functions of conserving nature and biodiversity, promoting sustainable socio-economic development in harmony with environmental protection, and supporting research and education for sustainable development. There is also consensus on integrating and mainstreaming the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (HSAP) in the coming phase, focusing on the themes of biodiversity, science and education; optimizing partnerships and finance for WBRs; promoting participation and contribution to global, regional, and thematic networks; and enhancing the role of indigenous peoples, local communities, women, and youth within the WBRs.

The Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (202 6- 2035) inherits the MAB Strategy 2015 - 2025 and the Lima Action Plan. It is also closely aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing the MAB Program's mission of reconciling the relationship between people and nature through the WBRs’ three-zone management model. With a vision toward a world where humans live in harmony with nature, the plan champions intergenerational equity and socio-ecological cohesion. Three major goals are identified: contributing to the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); enhancing capacity and resources for MAB and the WBR network; and promoting research and knowledge sharing. Thus, in the coming period, Vietnam's WBRs must actively and appropriately integrate and mainstream the action goals of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan. MAB Vietnam is confident that with the consensus and effort of all 11 WBRs, Vietnam will successfully implement the HSAP, consolidating Vietnam's position within the World Biosphere Reserve Network and making practical contributions to the goal of "Living in Harmony with Nature".

Dieu Linh