ABS-CBN News

MANILA –The United Nation&#x27;s cultural body UNESCO has added Albay in the Philippines as one of the 20 additions to its network of protected biosphere nature reserves.Albay and 19 other sites around the world were added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves during its meeting in Lima, Peru on March 18 and 19.The newly adopted sites include 18 national sites and one trans-boundary site shared between Spain and Portugal.According to UNESCO, Albay&#x27;s &quot;high conservation value is constituted notably by its 182 terrestrial plant species, 46 of which are endemic.&quot;&quot;Its marine and coastal ecosystems number 12 species of mangrove, 40 species of seaweed or macro-algae, and 10 species of sea grass. Five of the world&#x27;s seven species of marine turtles are to be found in Albay,&quot; UNESCO said.UNESCO describes biosphere reserves as &quot;places for learning about sustainable development aiming to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with the sustainable use of natural resources.&quot;&quot;New reserves are designated each year by the International Coordinating Council of the Programme, which brings together elected representatives of 34 UNESCO Member States,&quot; the cultural body said.<div>Aside from Albay, the following sites have also been declared biosphere reserves:</div>Monts de Tlemcen (Algeria) Beaver Hills (Canada) Tsá Tué (Canada) Lake Bosomtwe (Ghana) La Hotte (Haiti) Agasthyamala (India) Balambangan (Indonesia) Hamoun (Iran) Collina Po (Italy) Barsakelmes (Kazakhstan) Belo-sur-Mer-Kirindy-Mitea (Madagascar) Isla Cozumel (Mexico) Atlas Cedar (Morocco) Gran Pajatén (Peru) Fajãs de São Jorge (Portugal) Tejo/Tajo (Portugal and Spain) Jozani-Chwaka Bay (Tanzania) Isle of Man (United Kingdom)<div>The following areas, meanwhile, were approved by the body as extensions to existing biosphere reserves:</div>Trifinio Fraternidad (Honduras) Toscana (Italy) Mount Hakusan (Japan) Yakushima and Kuchinoerabu Jima (Japan) Mount Odaigahara, Mount Omine and Osugidani Biosphere Reserve (Japan) Noroeste Amotapes - Manglares (Peru) Mont Sorak (Republic of Korea) Shinan Dadohae (Republic of Korea) Wester Ross (United Kingdom)

The United Nation's cultural body UNESCO has added Albay in the Philippines as one of the 20 additions to its network of protected biosphere nature reserves.

UNESCO declares Albay a biosphere reserve

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Lifestyle

UNESCO declares Albay a biosphere reserve

ABS-CBN News

Published March 21, 2016 05:37 PM PHT

Read More:

albay

unesco

instant articles

biosphere reserve

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.