Cat Ba Archipelago continues to maintain its title as a World Biosphere Reserve.

The event affirms the special role of Cat Ba archipelago in global nature conservation, while creating new momentum for sustainable economic development.

On September 27, at the 37th meeting of the Man and the Biosphere Programme International Coordinating Council (MAB ICC), Cat Ba archipelago (Hai Phong, Vietnam) continued to be named in the list of world Biosphere Reserves (BDs) after the second 10-year periodic assessment (2014-2024). This is an important milestone, demonstrating UNESCO's recognition of the tireless efforts in management, conservation and sustainable development in Cat Ba.

The moment the MAB ICC Secretariat announced the results of the recognition of Cat Ba archipelago as a Biosphere Reserve. Photo: Provided by the working group.

The UNESCO Advisory Committee highly appreciated the performance of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve. Management work was carried out synchronously, with the wide participation of many stakeholders. The management practices and operations of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve are considered useful reference examples for other Biosphere Reserves in the Northwest Pacific region.

Nature conservation associated with development

Notably, Cat Ba is the only place in the world where the Cat Ba langur ( Trachypithecus francoisi polyocephalus ) is found. The conservation project for this rare langur species, coordinated by Cat Ba National Park since 2000, has yielded encouraging results: the number of langurs has increased from about 40 individuals to 76 individuals by 2023. This is a typical example of the perseverance and effectiveness of long-term conservation efforts.

Delegates of the Vietnam National Committee for UNESCO, Vietnam MAB and Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve Management Board at the Conference. Photo: Provided by the working group.

In parallel with conservation, Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve has implemented many high-quality economic development projects. Ecotourism, biosphere labeling services and a volunteer-run sustainable development fund have created strong motivation for the local community. This model not only provides livelihoods but also encourages people to directly participate in conservation work.

Over the past 10 years, the population of the buffer zone and transition zone has increased rapidly, from 5,510 people in 2010 to 18,410 people in 2021. Population pressure makes management and conservation requirements more stringent, but also requires innovation in development methods, towards a green economic model. Notably, in 2023, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, expanding from Ha Long Bay Heritage, further enhancing Cat Ba's position on the global heritage map.

New pride and motivation

At the conference, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Hien - Chairman of the MAB Vietnam Committee - said: "Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve is a vivid demonstration of the efforts of the local government, management board and local community in socio-economic development in parallel with nature conservation.

The fact that Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, one of 11 Biosphere Reserves in Vietnam, has been recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve after a rigorous assessment process will also create motivation and spillover effects for other Biosphere Reserves in Vietnam in fulfilling their commitments and synchronously implementing management solutions to best promote the basic functions of a Biosphere Reserve, which are conservation, development and community support.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Hien - Chairman of MAB Vietnam - spoke at the Conference. Photo: Provided by the working group.

He also emphasized that during the process of preparing the dossier, MAB Vietnam closely coordinated with the Management Board, the consulting unit, the leaders of Hai Phong City, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and relevant parties to ensure the dossier was evaluated with quality, on time and in accordance with international regulations.

On behalf of the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve Management Board, Mr. Nguyen Van Thiu - Director of Cat Ba National Park - expressed: "Today's event is a great honor. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Vietnam MAB Committee, the leaders of Hai Phong City, non-governmental organizations, scientists and the community for accompanying and creating conditions for Cat Ba to successfully fulfill its functions of conservation, development and community support."

According to him, in the coming time, Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve hopes to continue receiving attention from all levels, sectors and international organizations to always be worthy of being a typical model of conservation practices and sustainable development.

Connecting past - present - future

With its unique values, Cat Ba is not only the pride of Hai Phong and Vietnam but also a common heritage of humanity. The fact that UNESCO has re-recognized the title shows that Cat Ba has met the strict criteria of the global biosphere network. The adjustment of the boundary, increase of the buffer zone area and transition in 2023 demonstrates flexible adaptation, ensuring both strict conservation and creating conditions for community livelihood development.

Delegates of the Vietnam National Committee for UNESCO and MAB Vietnam worked with Ms. Latifa Yakoubi, President of the Morocco MAB Committee, President of the International MAB ICC Council on the occasion of attending the Conference. Photo: Provided by the working group.

Looking to the future, Cat Ba continues to affirm its position as a “living laboratory” of humanity for sustainable development, a place where initiatives on biodiversity conservation, resource management and building a quality economic model converge. This is a strong message about Vietnam’s commitment to conservation and development, while actively contributing to the common goals of UNESCO and the international community.

Cat Ba - a few brief notes:

- The KDTSQ includes 367 small islands in Cat Hai district, the adjusted area in 2023 is 26,419 hectares, an increase of 178 hectares compared to the previous assessment. The core zone decreased by 2,221 hectares, the buffer zone increased by 1,056 hectares, and the transition zone increased by 1,343 hectares.

- This is a typical area for karst landscapes eroded by the sea, preserving evidence of the process of rising and falling sea levels and the history of settlement of ancient Vietnamese people.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/quan-dao-cat-ba-tiep-tuc-giu-vung-danh-hieu-khu-du-tru-sinh-quyen-the-gioi-d775388.html