UNESCO designates 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries – the highest number in 20 years. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now includes 784 sites in 142 countries, with an additional one million km² of natural areas brought under protection since 2018 – equivalent to the size of Bolivia.
UNESCO has designated 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries—the highest annual addition in 20 years—bringing the World Network of Biosphere Reserves to 784 sites in 142 countries. Since 2018, an additional one million km² of natural areas—roughly the size of Bolivia—has come under protection.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
A Bigger, More Connected Global Network – and a Call to 2035
The designations were adopted at the 37th session of the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, held 26–28 September in the Lin’An district of Hangzhou, China, during the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves. Gathering more than 2,000 experts, public decision-makers, civil society, Indigenous representatives and youth, the Congress took stock of program achievements and charted the next decade. Director-General Audrey Azoulay invited every UNESCO Member State to establish at least one biosphere reserve by 2035.
Six countries received their first biosphere reserve: Angola, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Iceland, Oman, and Tajikistan. In a first for the program, São Tomé and Príncipe now has its entire territory designated as a biosphere reserve.
Scale and Momentum: From Local Benefits to Global Targets
UNESCO’s MAB Programme has accelerated markedly: since 2018, 142 new reserves have joined, pushing protected coverage to over 8 million km²—about the size of Australia—and directly benefiting nearly 300 million people who live within these areas. Since 1971, biosphere reserves—alongside natural World Heritage sites and Global Geoparks—have contributed to protecting more than 13 million km² of terrestrial and marine ecosystems under the UNESCO umbrella, advancing the Kunming-Montreal goal to conserve 30% of land and sea by 2030.
With the BBNJ Treaty entering into force in January 2026, countries will be able to designate and manage high seasprotected areas backed by science and robust plans. Through marine World Heritage sites, biosphere reserves and marine geoparks, UNESCO already safeguards more than 4.1 million km²—about the size of the Mediterranean Sea.
“Living Laboratories” for Climate and Communities
Biosphere reserves protect some of the planet’s richest and most fragile ecosystems, encompassing over 60% of terrestrial vertebrate species, 12% of mapped mangroves, 10% of salt marshes, and 8% of seagrass meadows. They foster local initiatives, support educational programs for schools and Indigenous communities, and build partnerships with the private sector.
The Amazonia Project, deployed across eight biosphere reserves with LVMH support, blends Indigenous knowledge with modern science and has backed more than 40 local initiatives—creating sustainable green jobs in agroforestryand regenerative agriculture, while strengthening forest and biodiversity protection against wildfires.
The Amazonia Project, deployed across eight biosphere reserves with LVMH support, blends Indigenous knowledge with modern science and has backed more than 40 local initiatives—creating sustainable green jobs in agroforestryand regenerative agriculture, while strengthening forest and biodiversity protection against wildfires.
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.
Newly Designated Biosphere Reserves (2025)
- 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
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization advances peace and security through multilateral cooperation across education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris with offices in 54 countries and over 2,300 staff, UNESCO oversees more than 2,000 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.
“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.
More information: www.unesco.org
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