Siem Reap, 7-9 April 2026 – The 16th Southeast Asia Biosphere Reserves Network (SeaBRnet) Meeting was held in Cambodia, bringing together around 100 participants from across Southeast Asia. Organized by UNESCO in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment and supported by the Japanese Funds-in-Trust (JFIT) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the meeting gathered policymakers, biosphere reserve managers, researchers, civil society, youth representatives, and development partners.
Convened shortly after the adoption of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves (2026–2035), the meeting provided a timely platform for Southeast Asian countries to reflect on lessons from the Lima Action Plan (2016–2025), align regional priorities with the new global framework, and deepen collaboration through knowledge exchange, joint research and monitoring, sustainable development initiatives for local communities, biodiversity conservation, resource management, and inclusive stakeholder partnerships. Discussions focused on advancing regional cooperation, improving governance and financing mechanisms, building climate resilience, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and defining SeaBRnet’s future role in implementation.
A session dedicated to Cambodia’s national context highlighted progress in environmental protection and sustainable development, particularly the conservation of Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, designated in 1997 and vital to millions of livelihoods. In partnership with the Ministry of Environment, UNESCO has supported the establishment of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve Coordination Mechanism, the development of management plans for Ramsar-integrated core areas, and the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which prioritizes governance, water management, biodiversity conservation, pollution control, land-use planning, and community livelihoods.
The meeting also featured the 3rd SeaBRnet Capacity Building Training, a participatory session designed to deepen understanding of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan (2026–2035). The training emphasized aligning regional strategies among Member States and collaboratively drafting the SeaBRnet Action Plan (2026–2035), outlining priority actions, indicators, and frameworks for cooperation.
In addition, the participants joined a one-day field visit to the Preak Toal Core Area of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, where they observed the application of the biosphere reserve concept within one of the world’s most complex freshwater ecosystems. Participants engaged with site managers and local communities to exchange practical experiences on integrating conservation, livelihoods, and sustainable development.
The 16th SeaBRnet Meeting underscored UNESCO’s commitment to supporting Member States and biosphere reserves in Southeast Asia, with a strategic emphasis on strengthening cooperation and advancing sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience within the region.
read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/16th-southeast-asian-biosphere-reserve-network-meeting-cambodia-strengthening-regional-cooperation?hub=701
