EABRN Celebrates the International Day of BR with a Virtual Journey Across East Asia’s Biosphere Reserves

On 5 November 2025, the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia marked the International Day of Biosphere Reserves and the 30th anniversary of EABRN with an interactive online celebration that brought together managers, youth and community representatives from across the region.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Do-soon Cho, Co-chair of MAB National Committee of the Republic of Korea at the Republic of Korea and vice-chair of group IV MAB-ICC, described biosphere reserves as “the best place to overcome the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss”.

Video  1 Prof. Do-soon Cho, Co-chair of MAB National Committee of the Republic of Korea and vice-chair of group IV MAB-ICC

Dr. Ai Sugiura, Programme Specialist for Natural Sciences at the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, linked the celebration to the new Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan, which guides future work on ecosystem restoration, sustainable livelihoods and community resilience under the MAB Programme.

Picture 1: Speakers and Participants to the EABRN celebration of the International Day of Biosphere Reserve

Participants then “travelled thousands of kilometres” on a virtual journey through EABRN BRs, presented in order of appearance: 

• Nanji Islands Biosphere Reserve (China)

Highlighted marine conservation, underwater monitoring and ecological mariculture, showing how local communities are working to “harvest not only seafood, but promises of sustainability”.

Video 2 Nanjing BR visit

• Aya Biosphere Reserve (Japan)

Introduced Aya’s long-term vision for natural forest restoration, where lucidophyllous forests, organic agriculture and environmental education reinforce each other to support both biodiversity and the local economy.

Picture 2 (left) Mr Monden Saku, BR Manager, and local team, (right) Ms Saeka Kiriya, showcasing the Aya Lucidophyllous Forest Project

• Changnyeong Biosphere Reserve (Republic of Korea)

Discovered the rich Upo Wetland, where wetland conservation, the reintroduction of the crested ibis, sustainable farming and ecotourism are helping to sustain local livelihoods while safeguarding biodiversity.

Picture 3 (left) Ms. So Yoon Chang, MAB-ROK, and the participants of the Youth Forum held in Changnyeong (right) A youth participant and Dr. Seong-jin Kim, Crested Ibis Restoration Center

Video 3 Changnyeong BR visit

• Katunsky Biosphere Reserve (Russian Federation)

Showcased field footage from the Altai Mountains, showing how beekeeping, traditional culture and cross-border cooperation in the transboundary Great Altai Biosphere Reserve help protect pristine landscapes while strengthening regional solidarity.

Picture 4  (left) Mr Ilya Kazantsev, Chief Ranger, (right) Katunsky BR and traditional crafts

Video 4 Katunsky BR visit

• Hustai Nuruu Biosphere Reserve (Mongolia)

Shared scenes from a local sports day celebrating the BR’s 30th anniversary, illustrating how community events bring people closer to their protected landscapes and to the wildlife that has returned through years of dedicated conservation.

Picture 5 (left) Dr Dashpurev Tserendeleg, Hustai Nuruu BR, (right) sport competition to celebrate the international Day of Biosphere Reserve

Video 5 Hustai Nuruu BR Visit

UNESCO also acknowledged Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Kazakhstan their active contributions to EABRN mission pillars even though they could not join live this year.

Picture 6 Prof. Suk-Kyung Shim, Vice-chair of MAB-ROK

 The celebration ended with reflections from Prof. Suk-Kyung Shim, Vice-chair of MAB-ROK, and Prof. Do-Soon Cho, Co-chair of MAB-ROK, on three decades of collaboration. As EABRN enters its next decade, these stories point to a shared vision: biosphere reserves as living platforms where people and nature thrive together.

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