ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – UNESCO designated 30 new Biosphere Reserves, areas recognized globally for their unique ecosystems and innovative approaches to sustainable living. Among them is Raja Ampat, Indonesia, acknowledged as the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on earth.
This milestone follows its earlier recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023, making Raja Ampat one of the few sites in the world to carry dual UNESCO designations.
Spanning about 135,000 km² across roughly 610 islands, atolls, and takas — of which only 34 are inhabited — the Raja Ampat Biosphere Reserve lies at the heart of the Coral Triangle. It hosts the richest coral reefs on the planet, with more than 75% of global coral species, over 1,320 coral reef fish species, and five rare or endangered sea turtles, including the Hawksbill Turtle. Around 60% of its reefs remain in good to excellent condition.
Being both a Global Geopark and a Biosphere Reserve means Raja Ampat is recognized for its outstanding geological heritage as well as its rich biological diversity.
It stands as a place where conservation, science, local knowledge, and sustainable development come together for the benefit of local communities and the planet.
As the world faces growing climate and biodiversity crises, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves offer a powerful, yet underreported solution which the world urgently needs.
Compared to natural parks, these “living laboratories” allow local communities, scientists, and governments to collaborate in three main ways:
1. Conserve –protecting biodiversity, landscapes, and ecosystems
2. Develop – promoting sustainable economic and human development
3. Understand – supporting research, education, training, and knowledge exchange.
With more than 700 Biosphere Reserves in over 130 countries, covering more than 5% of the Earth’s land surface, these areas serve as models for reconciling conservation and sustainable use for the 275 million people who live there.
By combining marine and terrestrial protection with sustainable livelihoods, Raja Ampat stands as a global beacon for ocean conservation, supporting biodiversity, cultural heritage, and climate resilience in one of the planet’s most vital seascapes. (AT Network)
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