Four New UNESCO Biosphere Reserve from Asia added to the World Network

11 new Biosphere Reserves – including 3 in Asia and the Pacific – were approved by the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme’s International Coordinating Council at its 35th meeting held in UNESCO Headquarter in Paris, during 12 – 15 June 2023. The four new Biosphere Reserves in Asia and the Pacific make a significant contribution to the region’s engagement with the MAB programme and to the sustainable future of the region’s people and nature.

New biosphere reserves were established in 9 countries including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, Mongolia and Pakistan and one transboundary biosphere reserve across 2 countries of Kenya and Uganda.
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now counts 748 sites in 134 countries, including 23 transboundary sites with 43 sites are located in Southeast Asia. A complete list of the new designations in Asia and the Pacific is listed below.

Indonesia: Bantimurung Bulusaraung – Ma’Rupanne Biosphere Reserve
Mongolia: Onon-Balj Biosphere Reserve
Pakistan: Chitral Bashkar Garmchashma Biosphere Reserve
Pakistan: Gallies Biosphere Reserve
Learn more about UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme: https://en.unesco.org/mab and its network: https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/wnbr