UNESCO has just named 26 new biosphere reserves UNESCO has just named 26 new biosphere reserves

UNESCO has just named 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries – with six destinations joining the network for the very first time.

The highest number added to the list in two decades, the island country of São Tomé and Príncipe in central Africa became the first state to have its entire territory designated as a biosphere reserve.

Angola, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Iceland, Oman and Tajikistan are now home to biosphere reserves for the first time, while additional reserves have been designated in Albania, China, Ethiopia, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and Sweden.

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, said of the news, “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.”

The full list of new biosphere reserves is as follows:

• 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

UNESCO launched its Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1971, with the first biosphere reserves designated in 1976. To date, there are now 759 reserves across 136 countries.

Biosphere reserves must be ‘representative of their biogeographic region and of significance for biodiversity’, and must fulfil three basic functions: Conservation, sustainable development, and logistic support, with the latter meaning training and education as well as research and monitoring linked to nature conservation.

More information: unesco.org

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