Two landmark documents adopted at Biosphere Reserves congress

The fifth World Congress of Biosphere Reserves concluded on Friday in Hangzhou, the provincial capital of Zhejiang in east China, with two landmark documents adopted.

These documents chart the course for the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program over the next decade, demonstrating China and the international community's firm commitment to addressing global ecological and environmental challenges.

Another document adopted during the congress are the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan for UNESCO's MAB Program and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2026-2035), which sets the direction, goals, and actions for global biosphere conservation in the coming ten years. It provides new momentum for global environmental governance and the advancement of sustainable development.

The congress also released the Hangzhou Declaration, sending a strong message of the resolve to tackle ecological and environmental challenges and build a shared future for all life on Earth.

"First, it particularly emphasizes alignment with relevant UN strategies and conventions. Second, it stresses cooperation and exchange. Third, it requires inclusive governance. The fourth characteristic is the strong emphasis on global support, especially from developed countries and businesses, to back conservation efforts," said Ouyang Zhiyun, a researcher at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"The two documents will serve as the guiding and programmatic framework for the development of the Man and the Biosphere Program over the next decade," said Wang Ding, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Committee for UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program.

Held from September 22 to 25 in Hangzhou, this is the first time the congress was convened in Asia. UNESCO organizes the event approximately every decade to shape the future development of biosphere reserves worldwide.

During the congress, some 4,000 delegates from over 150 countries and regions gathered under the theme "Shaping a Sustainable Future for People and Nature" to explore strategies for protecting biosphere reserves and advancing sustainable development.

China formally joined the MAB Program in 1973 and established a national committee for the program five years later. To date, 34 nature reserves in China have been designated as UNESCO biosphere reserves, ranking first in Asia.

Two landmark documents adopted at Biosphere Reserves congress

China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance trust, eliminate interference, and deepen cooperation with Canada to bring bilateral relations forward on a steady and sound track in solid strides under the new circumstances, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing on the day.

Referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, Wang said the trip marks a milestone in bilateral ties and signals a turning point in the relationship.

The leaders of the two countries will hold meetings and talks, which are expected to open up new prospects for bilateral relations, said Wang.

The world today is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the impact of China-Canada relations transcends the bilateral scope, Wang noted.

Wang said that China and Canada have different social systems, stemming from different historical and cultural heritage, and based on the choices of their respective people.

He urged both sides to view each other in a rational and amicable manner with an inclusive mindset, handle issues on the basis of mutual respect, focus on the agenda of cooperation, and send positive messages so as to foster optimism, inject greater confidence into the development of bilateral relations, and jointly build a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada.

Anand said the new Canadian government attaches great importance to relations with China. She also added that Prime Minister Carney looks forward to engaging in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders during the visit to set the course for the development of bilateral relations, resume dialogue in various fields, pursue more mutually beneficial outcomes, enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

China ready to work for steady, sound ties with Canada: FM