Arrábida Awaits UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Decision in China
A Portuguese delegation, including key municipal leaders from the Setúbal Peninsula, is currently in China awaiting the final verdict from UNESCO on the candidacy of Arrábida to be classified as a Biosphere Reserve. The announcement represents the culmination of an extensive preparation process initiated in 2016, which involved a partnership between the Association of Municipalities of the Setúbal Region (AMRS), the municipalities of Palmela, Sesimbra, and Setúbal, and the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF).
The official application was submitted to UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Programme secretariat in Paris in September 2024. The proposal is centered on affirming the Arrábida region as a benchmark for sustainability. It seeks to formalize a framework that balances economic and social activities with the critical preservation and restoration of the area's valuable Mediterranean ecosystems. The designation is intended to protect the unique natural landscape of the Serra da Arrábida and its surrounding coastal and forest areas.
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The delegation in China includes Álvaro Amaro, the Mayor of Palmela, and Sofia Martins, the Secretary-General of AMRS, who also serves as the coordinator of the Arrábida Technical Committee. Their presence highlights the unified regional commitment to achieving this prestigious international recognition. The process has been marked by significant local community engagement, a key factor in the construction of the candidacy dossier.
Biosphere Reserves are designated by UNESCO as learning areas for sustainable development, where interdisciplinary approaches are tested to understand and manage changes and interactions between social and ecological systems. These territories are intended to serve as models that reconcile biodiversity conservation with the sustainable use of natural resources. If approved, Arrábida would join a global network of sites recognized for their excellence in this regard.
The candidacy documents outline a vision for Arrábida as a 'living laboratory' that not only values its landscapes but also fosters social, economic, and cultural development in harmony with ecological principles. Furthermore, the designation would establish the region as a formal platform for scientific research, environmental monitoring, and educational programs aimed at raising public awareness about sustainability. The officials involved express confidence that the application successfully demonstrates the region's exceptional natural, cultural, and human assets, meriting international recognition. The outcome of the meeting in China will determine the next chapter for one of Portugal's most cherished natural landscapes. Monitor new development opportunities at realestate-lisbon.com.