Angola Joins UNESCO’s World Biosphere Map with the New Quiçama Biosphere Reserve

 

Angola Joins UNESCO’s World Biosphere Map with the New Quiçama Biosphere Reserve

Angola has officially joined UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves with the designation of the Quiçama Biosphere Reserve, marking a historic milestone for the country. The recognition highlights Angola’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and the empowerment of local communities.

The announcement was made during the 37th Session of the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB) Programme, held in Hangzhou, China. The Angolan delegation was led by Secretary of State for the Environment, Iury Valter de Sousa Santos, representing the Minister of the Environment, Ana Paula de Carvalho Pereira.

The official mission also included Ambassador Maria Cândida Pereira Teixeira, Angola’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO; Gabriel Luís Miguel, advisor to the Office of the Vice-President of the Republic; Alexandre Costa, Secretary-General of the National Commission of Angola for UNESCO; along with technical experts from various ministries responsible for environmental conservation and management.

The achievement comes as Angola celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence and reflects the efforts of President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to strengthen national policies on sustainability and to value the traditional knowledge of local communities.

With this designation, Angola becomes part of the global network of over 700 biosphere reserves across 150 countries—sites dedicated to pioneering solutions that balance environmental conservation, socio-economic development, and scientific research.

The Quiçama Biosphere Reserve spans 33,160 km², stretching from the mouth of the Longa River to Luanda Island. It includes ecologically and biologically significant areas such as the Mussulo-Cuanza Complex, Cabo Ledo, as well as sensitive habitats like mangroves, lagoons, and nesting areas for birds and sea turtles. Among the protected emblematic species are the African manatee and the savanna elephant.