UNESCO added 14 biosphere reserves in June, including Québec City

UNESCO designated 14 biosphere reserves across 14 countries on June 5, 2026, expanding an international network intended to connect conservation with the needs of people living in those places. The announcement, made on World Environment Day, included the first reserves for Montenegro, Timor-Leste and Aruba. UNESCO said Aruba's designation covered its entire territory. ^[1]

The additions included Québec City in Canada, which UNESCO described as the first whole city designated a biosphere reserve. Other new sites included Albania's Shkodër Lake, Montenegro's Skadar Lake Watershed, Portugal's Serra da Estrela and Timor-Leste's Nino Konis Santana. The agency also approved extensions to five existing reserves in China, Italy and Spain, separately from the 14 new designations. ^[1]

The international recognition does not transfer control of a site to UNESCO. Under the agency's published rules, national governments nominate reserves and retain sovereign jurisdiction. UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere International Coordinating Council decides on nominations, following review of the supporting material. That process distinguishes the designation from a finding that a site's environmental challenges have already been resolved. ^[2]

Recognition also comes with an ongoing review process. UNESCO says reserves' functions are examined every ten years, including their zoning, scale and the involvement of residents. The review considers management problems and implementation weaknesses as well as results. The June announcement therefore records an expansion of the network; assessments of how the new reserves function belong to their subsequent management and review. ^[2]

About this item: Retrospective source brief. No first-hand reporting or independent testing is claimed. Corrections policy.