Morocco is taking center stage at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, which kicked off on September 22 in Hangzhou, China. With over 4,000 delegates from 150 countries in attendance, the event underscores the growing influence of UNESCO’s global network of Biosphere Reserves in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. As the current chair of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (CIC-MAB), Morocco is leading the charge with a strategy rooted in local action and innovation to drive sustainable development.
The Moroccan delegation is headed by the National Agency for the Development of Oases and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA), an institution that has become emblematic of the country’s commitment—under the leadership of King Mohammed VI—to inclusive, environmentally sound development. Representing Morocco at the highest level is Latifa Yaakoubi, Director General of ANDZOA, who has emerged as a key voice in the international conversation.
In her opening remarks, Yaakoubi emphasized the urgency of addressing what she called the “triple planetary crisis”—a convergence of climate disruption, biodiversity collapse, and pollution that threatens the very foundations of modern society. She highlighted the unique role of the MAB Programme, created in 1971 by UNESCO, which now spans nearly 750 Biosphere Reserves around the world. These sites are designed not just for conservation, but as living laboratories where science, culture, innovation, and sustainable livelihoods intersect.
For Morocco, participation in this high-level gathering carries particular weight. The country manages two Biosphere Reserves officially recognized by UNESCO: the Argan Biosphere Reserve, designated in 1998, and the Southern Moroccan Oasis Biosphere Reserve, added in 2000. Both are managed by ANDZOA, which has used them as testing grounds for innovative, resilient development models aligned with the broader goals of the MAB Programme and Morocco’s national priorities.
A major milestone of the Congress was the presentation of the Hangzhou Action Plan—a new strategic framework aimed at implementing both the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda. Developed by a panel of international experts and enriched by contributions from youth, women, and local communities, the document outlines a vision for making Biosphere Reserves key drivers of territorial transformation.
For Yaakoubi, the adoption of the Hangzhou Action Plan marks the beginning of a new phase. She sees it as a chance to elevate these Reserves from symbolic spaces to engines of real change on the ground. The plan builds on the momentum of the previous Congress in Lima in 2016, where the Lima Action Plan (2016–2025) set the groundwork for today’s global initiatives.
Throughout the sessions, Yaakoubi, in her capacity as president of CIC-MAB, stressed the importance of connecting global challenges to local realities. She praised the warm welcome offered by the Chinese hosts and expressed appreciation for the tireless efforts of UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and all those involved in the MAB Programme.
On the sidelines of the event, Morocco’s delegation—led by Ambassador Samir Addahre, the country’s permanent representative to UNESCO—is engaging in a series of bilateral meetings. These discussions aim to share Morocco’s experience in managing fragile ecosystems and to deepen South-South cooperation, a cornerstone of the country’s international environmental diplomacy.
