Vietnam attends events on biosphere reserves

These events bring together more than 4,000 delegates from 136 countries, including government leaders, scientists, conservation experts, business people and local community representatives. The event is considered the world's largest forum on conservation and sustainable development within the framework of the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

The Vietnamese delegation includes representatives from the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Vietnam National Committee for the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB Vietnam), and many Biosphere Reserve Management Boards such as Can Gio, Dong Nai, Cat Ba, Red River Delta, Western Nghe An, Langbiang, and two localities are preparing nomination dossiers, Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Vu Quang.

Not only present in the main sessions, the Vietnamese delegation also proactively organized sideline activities: working with UNESCO leaders, the MAB ICC Council, the Southeast Asia Regional Secretariat, the marine and mountainous biosphere reserve networks, etc. Thereby, Vietnam introduced management experience, the combined model of "development for conservation, conservation for development" and shared initiatives to attract local communities to participate in environmental protection.

Speaking at the meeting of the Southeast Asia Biosphere Reserve Network, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Hien - Chairman of MAB Vietnam - emphasized: After 25 years since Can Gio Biosphere Reserve was recognized by UNESCO (2000), the Biosphere Reserve network in Vietnam has developed strongly, becoming a model in the region in linking conservation with socio-economic development.

Currently, Vietnam has 11 UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserves, ranking second in Southeast Asia (after Indonesia with 20 biosphere reserves), accounting for about 14% of the territory. Vietnam's biosphere reserves not only conserve biodiversity but also become a driving force for green economic development, enhancing the ability to respond to climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

Notably, Vietnam’s models have mobilized the active participation of the community, especially ethnic minorities in mountainous areas, as well as effectively connected with universities, research institutes and businesses. Many BTAs have formed unique products, both creating livelihoods for people and contributing to promoting the value of natural and cultural heritage to the world.

In the new phase, MAB Vietnam aims for 5 core values: sustainability, community, connection, innovation and adaptation. This is the guideline to help biosphere reserves both conserve effectively and become a typical green development model in the context of climate change.

According to this vision, the Vietnam Biosphere Reserve Network will continue to be a typical model of sustainable development, both serving national interests and contributing to global green development goals.

The Global Biosphere Reserve Conference is a 10-year event, which aims to review the past and set out directions for the next phase. This year, the discussions focused on the practical contributions of the Biosphere Reserve network to biodiversity protection, climate change adaptation and promoting models of development in harmony between humans and nature.

Notably, the conference adopted two key documents: the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan 2026-2035 and the Hangzhou Declaration, thereby affirming the global commitment to a shared future for people and nature.