Hangzhou to welcome global experts on ecology

China looks forward to sharing experiences in building an ecological civilization and gathering global wisdom for ecological governance at the upcoming 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves to be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, an official said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office, He Hongping, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the congress will be a crucial platform for international exchange, and will deepen scientific partnerships to tackle fragmented ecological governance through systematic thinking.

"We'll promote new models of green development with interdisciplinary research and enhance the smart management of protected areas using digital technology," he said.

The UNESCO congress is scheduled for Sept 22 to 25. The gathering is expected to draw delegates from over 150 countries and regions, he said, adding that this marks the first time the decennial event will be held in Asia.

The congress aims to discuss and adopt the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan for UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves, setting the direction and goals for the next decade, according to He.

The event will also see the release of the Hangzhou Declaration, underscoring China's commitment to working with the international community to tackle ecological challenges and build a shared future for all life on Earth.

China joined the Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1973 and currently leads Asia with 34 UNESCO-designated world biosphere reserves.

"The nation's efforts in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development are supported by significant technological innovations," He said.

China has developed intelligent species identification technologies that combine image, sound and video recognition. These technologies, combined with satellite remote sensing, drones and mobile smart terminals, have been applied in biosphere reserves such as the Wuyi Mountain in Fujian province, offering crucial support for smart management and ecological restoration.