Monaco Strengthens Its Commitment to UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme
The 37th session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Programme was held in Lin’an, China, from 26 to 28 September 2025.
The Monegasque delegation, composed of H.E. Mrs. Anne-Marie BOISBOUVIER, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Monaco to UNESCO, and Mrs. Agatha KORCZAK, First Secretary, distinguished itself through two major actions:
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The signing of a concrete mangrove restoration project in São Tomé and Príncipe, initiated with the support of Monaco, and praised by Mr. Antonio D. ABREU, Secretary-General of the MaB Programme.
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The awarding of the “Prince Albert I of Monaco Young Scientists Scholarships”, funded since 2022 to support young researchers working in coastal and island biosphere reserves.
In 2025, five scholarships were granted, named for the first time after the Monegasque Sovereign.
H.E. the Ambassador highlighted the positive impact of these grants, which form part of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
The Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035) was unanimously adopted, structuring the MaB Programme around three main pillars:
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Multilateral cooperation
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Expansion of the biosphere reserves network
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Promotion of scientific research
This plan had been previously discussed at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, held in September 2025 in Hangzhou, marked by the speeches of Mr. Xuexiang DING, Chinese Vice Premier, and Ms. Audrey AZOULAY, UNESCO Director-General, who both emphasized the importance of multilateralism in addressing environmental challenges.
Finally, 26 new biosphere reserves were recognized during this session, including the entire territory of São Tomé and Príncipe — a world first, making it the only country whose entire territory is classified as a biosphere reserve.
🔗 For more information, consult the official UNESCO statement:
26 new Biosphere Reserves: UNESCO continues to expand the network
