On June 5, in the city of Hernandarias, Republic of Paraguay, within the framework of the 38th Meeting of the International Coordinating Council for the Human and Biological Program (MAB-ICC 38), Phong Nha - Ke Bang was officially honored by UNESCO as the World Biosphere Reserve.
The event marks an important milestone for Quang Tri province and Vietnam, affirming the outstanding global value of Phong Nha - Ke Bang in terms of biodiversity, tropical forest ecosystems on limestone mountains and natural landscapes with unique geological and geomorphological values.
Attending the MAB-ICC 38 Meeting were representatives of UNESCO leaders, the Secretariat of the Human and Biosphere Program, representatives of member countries and a large number of experts and scientists in the field of conservation and sustainable development.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Mr. Le Van Bao - Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, along with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNESCO Vietnam National Committee and a number of Management Boards of the World Biosphere Reserve in Vietnam.
Speaking at the event, leaders of Quang Tri province emphasized that this title is not only a source of pride but also a responsibility to preserve precious natural values for present and future generations. This is also an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, share experiences and mobilize resources to serve conservation, scientific research and sustainable development.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang Biosphere Reserve has a total area of 515,830 ha, covering 15 communes of Quang Tri province, including the core zone, buffer zone and transition zone. This is one of the areas with typical tropical forest ecosystems on limestone mountains of Southeast Asia, preserving rich biological resources with thousands of animal and plant species, including many rare and endemic species.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang is famous for nearly 500 caves discovered, possessing geological, geomorphological and natural landscape values. Previously, this area was twice listed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2003 and 2015.
