Abstract:

Background: Initiated in 1971, the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme seeks to establish a scientific basis for strengthening the relationship between humans and the environment, recognizing humanity as an integral part of nature. Its core vehicle, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, has expanded to 785 reserves across 142 countries. Following the momentum of four world congresses held in Minsk, Seville, Madrid, and Lima, the Hangzhou Action Plan emerged.

Methods & Results: This paper systematically elaborates on the evolution of the MAB Programme and provides an interpretation of its latest UNESCO MAB Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan. The Plan is structured around three parts: background, action targets, and monitoring and evaluation. Its main body contains 34 action targets focusing on three key areas: supporting global environmental protection and sustainable development agendas, strengthening the construction and development of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and advancing toward a sustainable future for humanity. Action Targets 1-13 translate global commitments—including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework—into local action by safeguarding ecosystem integrity, expanding ecological restoration, and ensuring species and genetic diversity. Action Targets 14-26 reinforce the institutional, financial, and social foundations of the network through resource mobilization, inclusive governance, knowledge sharing, and international cooperation. Finally, Action Targets 27-34 focus on strengthening scientific research, adaptive governance, and global collaboration, ensuring that biosphere reserves serve as engines of innovation and education worldwide. Compared with the Madrid Action Plan and the Lima Action Plan, the Hangzhou Action Plan demonstrates stronger integration with global frameworks, places greater emphasis on equity, rights, and operational feasibility, and highlights financing and partnerships as core pillars. Despite challenges such as balancing conservation and development, addressing climate change, and coping with uneven resources, the Plan points the way toward a sustainable future of harmony between people and nature through enhanced partnerships, mainstreaming climate adaptation strategies, and promoting digital transformation.

Key words: Man and the Biosphere Progamme, World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Global Environmental Agenda, sustainable future