During the week of the World Environment Day, UNESCO announced the incorporation of 14 new biosphere reserves distributed across different continents, a decision that reinforces international efforts to conserve biodiversity and address the climate crisis.
With these additions, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves reaches 797 sites distributed in 145 countries. Additionally, Montenegro, Timor-Leste, and Aruba join this international network for the first time, expanding the geographical representation of strategic ecosystems for conservation.
Furthermore, the designation reflects a growing trend towards development models that seek to reconcile the protection of nature with human activities, promoting sustainable management of natural resources and strengthening local communities.
Reserves covering ecosystems around the planet
The newly recognized areas include territories of great ecological significance in Albania – Lake Skadar, Algeria – Theniet El Had, Aruba – Island of Aruba, Azerbaijan – Greater Caucasus, Cameroon – Takamanda-Cross River Gorilla, Canada – City of Quebec, Philippines – Matibay na Bayan ng Sablayan, and Mongolia – Tost Toson Bumbiin Nuruu.
Moreover, Montenegro – Lake Skadar Basin, Paraguay – South of Alto Paraná, Portugal – Serra da Estrela, Islamic Republic of Iran – Dalankuh-Qamishlou, Timor-Leste – Nino Konis Santana, and Viet Nam – Phong Nha-Ke Bang were also incorporated.
A notable aspect of this update is the inclusion of the City of Quebec as the first city in the world to be entirely recognized as a biosphere reserve. Additionally, Aruba became one of the few countries whose entire territory holds this category of protection and sustainable management.
Reliable information to face environmental challenges
Along with the new designations, UNESCO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe launched an initiative aimed at strengthening environmental journalism.
The presentation of a practical guide for journalists seeks to improve the quality of information related to climate, biodiversity, and environmental issues. The material offers tools to address complex phenomena and combat misinformation that often circulates around these topics.
Additionally, the manual incorporates recommendations for investigating environmental damage, verifying scientific information, and understanding the impact of new technologies like artificial intelligence in the production of environment-related content.
The importance of biosphere reserves for the environment
Biosphere reserves are fundamental spaces for the conservation of biodiversity, as they protect ecosystems that host animal and plant species of great ecological value.
They also function as true natural laboratories where scientific research is conducted on ecological restoration, climate change adaptation, and sustainable management of natural resources. The knowledge obtained helps improve conservation strategies in different regions of the planet.
Moreover, these territories contribute to carbon capture, water regulation, soil protection, and the preservation of essential biological corridors for numerous species. They also generate opportunities for sustainable development through activities compatible with conservation, such as ecotourism, environmental education, and responsible production.
A global tool against the climate crisis
Since their creation in 1971, biosphere reserves have been consolidated as one of the main international tools to promote a balanced relationship between human communities and nature.
Currently, along with the natural sites of the World Heritage and Geoparks, they form a network of more than 13 million square kilometers of protected terrestrial and marine ecosystems under programs promoted by UNESCO.
In a context marked by biodiversity loss and the advance of climate change, the expansion of this network represents a significant step to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and move towards the global conservation goals planned for the coming decades.
