The 37th session of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) International Coordinating Council (ICC) and the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves were successfully held in Hangzhou, China, from 22 to 28 September 2025. The events brought together over 4,000 participants from 150 countries, including ministerial-level representatives, scientists, practitioners, and youth delegates, to discuss biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and the future of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
The Cook Islands was represented by Senior Environmental Compliance Officer, Mr Benjamin Maxwell from the National Environment Service (NES). During the meetings, Mr Maxwell joined discussions on the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (HSAP) 2026–2035, which outlines priorities for the MAB Programme, including advancing multilateral environmental agreements, strengthening the WNBR, and promoting inclusive participation of Indigenous Peoples, youth, and women in biosphere reserve governance. He also participated in sessions highlighting the role of biosphere reserves as “living laboratories” for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development practices.
Key highlights of the meetings included the record number of biosphere reserve nominations and project proposals, the recognition of MAB Youth initiatives, and increased collaboration with UNESCO Category 2 Centres and partner institutions on climate, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration projects. The Congress also celebrated MAB awards, including the Michel Batisse Award and the MAB Young Scientists Award, and showcased major communication and awareness initiatives, such as the outdoor exhibition “Roads to Peace with Nature” and the launch of MAB’s social media channels to reach global audiences.
Mr Maxwell underscored the importance of these engagements for the Cook Islands, noting that participation strengthens national efforts to conserve biodiversity, integrate traditional knowledge, and connect with international networks to address climate and environmental challenges. The Cook Islands delegation expressed appreciation to UNESCO and the Government of China for hosting the meetings, which provided an invaluable platform to exchange knowledge, learn best practices, and foster cooperation across the WNBR
