A delegation from Hai Phong City, representing the Office of the City People’s Committee, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Cat Ba National Park, participated in the 5th UNESCO World Congress of Biosphere Reserves and the 37th session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme (MAB-ICC) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The congress took place from September 22 to 27, 2025. This global event convened over 4,000 delegates—including government leaders, scientists, conservation experts, entrepreneurs, and local community representatives—to collectively shape the future of more than 759 biosphere reserves across 136 countries.
(The Vietnamese delegation attending the 5th UNESCO World Congress of Biosphere Reserves from September 22–25, 2025, in Hangzhou, China. Photo: Provided by the delegation)
At the congress, the Hai Phong City delegation demonstrated a proactive role within the Southeast Asian Biosphere Reserve Network (SeaBRnet) regarding regional cooperation and conservation strategies. This was most clearly evidenced in the successful second 10-year periodic review report (2014–2024).
(The Vietnamese delegation in a bilateral meeting with senior leadership from the International MAB Secretariat. Photo: Courtesy of the delegation)
This success reaffirms the persistent efforts of the locality in harmonizing nature conservation with community livelihood development, while elevating the prestige of the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve. Furthermore, it reflects a strong commitment to seeking continued support from authorities at all levels, various sectors, and international organizations, as well as fellow biosphere reserves. This collective support ensures that Cat Ba remains an exemplary model of conservation practices and sustainable development.
(Delegates from the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, MAB Vietnam, and the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve Management Board at the Congress. Photo: Courtesy of the delegation)
Numerous international organizations attending the Congress highly commended the proactive contributions of Vietnam’s 11 Biosphere Reserves to the World Network, with the Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve recognized for its significant role within the global Biosphere family. This participation affirms the city’s commitment and responsibility toward the conservation of nature, the biosphere, and humanity. It further opens new avenues for cooperation, aiming for the goal: ‘Solid Conservation – Creating a Green Future.’ This align with the effective implementation of the Hangzhou Declaration and the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan for the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2026–2035).
