HERNANDARIAS, Paraguay — The 38th session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) opened on June 3, with MA Keping elected the new chair of the MAB-ICC Bureau.

CAS academician MA Keping, from the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, will serve as chair from 2026 to 2028. He becomes the second Chinese scientist in 36 years to chair the global MAB's highest decision-making body.

Previously, at the invitation of UNESCO, MA led the drafting of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan for UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2026–2035). Adopted at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, the Plan shapes the decade-long future of the MAB and further points the way toward a sustainable future of harmony between people and nature.

MA pledged to build global consensus and foster close collaboration during his tenure. Guided by the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan, he aims to empower high-quality MAB conservation and development through science. Key priorities include strengthening biodiversity monitoring across the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and evaluating the Network's effectiveness, thereby supporting the building of a more resilient and dynamic biosphere.

Since joining the MAB programme in 1973, China has evolved over five decades from an active early participant to a proactive leader. MA's election not only highlights the international community's high recognition of Chinese scientists' outstanding contributions but also vividly reflects China's deep involvement in global environmental governance. Moving forward, China will continue to leverage major international platforms, such as the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, to contribute more Chinese wisdom and strength to global biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

On June 3 local time, the 38th MAB-ICC opened in Hernandarías, Paraguay. Academician MA Keping (second from right) was elected as the new chair of the MAB-ICC Bureau (Photo by XIAN Yijie)

Academician MA Keping completed the handover with the previous chairperson, Ms. Latifa Yaakoubi (Photo by XIAN Yijie)