GGM staff member, Dr Kaera Coetzer, recently attended the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR) taking place from 22–26 September, 2025 in Hangzhou, China

Convened by UNESCO only every ten years, the WCBR serves as a critical forum to evaluate progress, share experiences, and set future directions for the global Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB). This year’s Congress was particularly significant as it finalises key policy that will be used to guide the implementation of the 784 biosphere reserves located in 142 countries (South Africa has 10 of these!): the 2026–2035 MAB Strategy and [Hangzhou] Action Plan. This guiding policy will direct the international implementation of Biosphere Reserves over the next decade, ensuring alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and building on the legacy of the previous policy instruments undermining MAB. The participation of a UP academic in these negotiations provides a vital avenue for scientific input into discussions that are often restricted to governmental representatives.

As part of Dr Coetzer’s engagement at the Congress, she co-led a side event, together with others of her international BECOME (Biospheres as Effective Conservation Measures) project. This side event helped launch a major new policy brief co-written with UNESCO and the BECOME consortia, titled: “ “Accelerating the Global Biodiversity Framework by Strengthening Biosphere Reserves””. It was the result of several rounds of expert consultation, workshops and interviews, bringing together a wide range of perspectives from across MAB Programme programme and its global engaged community. It focuses on how biosphere reserves can help achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets, profiling vital research that supports the next generation of Biosphere Reserve management. The full research report that underpins the new policy brief is available online: Full Report Link