{
  "id": 18692439,
  "title": "UNESCO network promotes cooperation on coastal conservation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/unesco-network-promotes-cooperation-on-coastal-conservation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T10:19:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SGGP English Edition",
    "slug": "sggp-english-edition",
    "url": "https://en.sggp.org.vn/unesco-network-promotes-cooperation-on-coastal-conservation-post130835.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 13th gathering of the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves convened in Ho Chi Minh City, underscoring the necessity for enhanced global collaboration to safeguard coastal habitats and combat climate change. The event, organized by Ho Chi Minh City's municipal government and Vietnam's UNESCO commission, commenced on November 7 and is being hosted in collaboration with UNESCO.\n\nUNESCO representative Jonathan Wallace Baker highlighted the organization's involvement in mangrove reforestation efforts in Can Gio since the late 1970s, when volunteers utilized seedlings from Ca Mau to restore these vital ecosystems. In 2000, Can Gio was designated Vietnam's inaugural UNESCO-recognized world biosphere reserve, currently boasting 12 such reserves—second only in Southeast Asia—and seven of these are situated along coastal and island regions.\n\nThe World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves (WNICBR), established in 2012, aims to tackle issues related to oceans, coastal management, urbanization, and climate change. Baker commended Vietnam's ambition to augment its protected areas and expressed optimism that the conference would yield concrete actions and a practical roadmap for cooperation among the biosphere reserves.\n\nVietnam's UNESCO projects in marine debris management and ocean education have been implemented in Cu Lao Cham, Cat Ba, and Can Gio. Nguyen Van Thieu, head of the Management Board for the Cat Ba Archipelago World Biosphere Reserve, noted that the reserve, recognized by UNESCO in 2004, encompasses over 26,400 hectares within Cat Hai Special Zone in Hai Phong City, with Cat Ba National Park as its core area. The Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve focuses on sustainable livelihoods through eco-friendly tourism, agriculture, and aquaculture utilizing HDPE plastic floating structures, while concurrently protecting mangrove forests.\n\nDae-shin Kim, Director of the Hallasan Research Institute in Jeju Province, South Korea, and WNICBR secretariat representative, pointed out that the WNICBR has earned recognition from UNESCO's International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program as a model network for addressing thematic issues. Island and coastal regions worldwide are increasingly cooperating to address shared challenges, particularly in climate change mitigation and ecosystem restoration. Jeju Province will continue its partnership with UNESCO and member biosphere reserves to further the development of this network.",
  "summary": "The 13th meeting of the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves in Ho Chi Minh City has highlighted the need for stronger international cooperation to protect coastal ecosystems and address climate change.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}