30 Years of EABRN - Future Directions of MAB in East Asia | Side Event celebration of the 30th anniversary of the East Asian Biosphere Reserve Network at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the East Asian Biosphere Reserve Network (EABRN), this side event held on 23rd September 2025 highlighted the region's achievements in biosphere reserve management and cross-border collaboration under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The first session presented a consolidated narrative of the network’s legacy, providing a platform for member states to share reflections, and formally launch a commemorative 30th Anniversary publication. The second session explored future directions for the biosphere reserves in East Asia, addressing youth empowerment, inter-generational cooperation, climate resilience, transboundary cooperation, indigenous and local knowledge, digital and open science, ecosystem services and livelihoods, capacity building, visibility and communication, governance and alignment, financing and partnerships, and synergies.

Outcomes:

EABRN marked its 30th year with a forward-looking agenda:

1. launching a Young Scientists & Activists Award and youth research sessions,

2. advancing transboundary ecological corridors and data sharing, and

3. positioning biosphere reserves as living labs for SDGs, NbS, and DRR.

Indigenous and local knowledge will be systematically embedded in governance, while AI, remote sensing, and citizen science drive a digital and open science push.

Communities benefit from ecological product value chains, and refreshed training targets newly designated BRs. With an updated portal website boosting visibility, EABRN will align its workplan with the upcoming Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035), strengthen governance, diversify financing with private, green, and South-South partners, and deepen synergies with World Heritage, Global Geoparks, and Creative Cities.

• Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (2026-2035):

  https://www.biosphere2025.org.cn/content/content_9084168.html

Proposed Actions:

• Align all EABRN activities with the new MAB Stratetic Action Plan and contribute to monitoring & evaluation.

• Update SC meetings and training formats; integrate youth sessions.

• Establish an EABRN Young Scientists & Activist

  Award (annual/biannual).

• Launch or upgrade an EABRN knowledge-sharing portal.

• Provide capacity-building support for newsly designated BRs and organize targeted thematic workshops.

• Promote sustainable ecotourism with carrying-capacity training (online/offline).

• Harmonize legislation & financingframeworks; diversify funding.

• Strengthen researcher exchanges & joint monitoring across BRs.

• Coordinate International Day of Biosphere Reserves activities region-wide.

• Maintain hybrid + in-person engagement to deepen collaboration.