1 July 2014: Representatives from 26 biosphere reserves from 19 countries issued a joint statement following the Fourth Meeting of the Global Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves. The statement notes challenges and threats faced by these sites related to climate change and natural disasters; water, energy and food self-sufficiency; and waste management.

Participants included representatives from biosphere reserves in Australia, Chile, China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Haiti, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Maldives, Mauritius, Portugal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Sao Tome and Principe, Saint Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Yemen, each of whom shared experiences and lessons learned from their reserve. Participants also discussed: current and completed research projects; a planned training course for biosphere reserve managers in October 2014; a casebook study; and the organization of the Fifth Meeting of the Global Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves, which will focus on climate change and sustainable development.

The meeting took place in the Palawan Biosphere Reserve in the Philippines from 16-21 June 2014. [UNESCO Press Release] [Meeting Statement]