On September 23, 2025, the International Seminar on Nature Education Stories in Protected Areas, a side event of the Fifth World Congress of Biosphere Reserves was held in Hangzhou, China. The seminar was jointly hosted by the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO), the China National Committee for UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB China), and the International Society of Zoological Sciences (ISZS). Themed with "sharing nature education stories in protected areas," it aimed to promote the international exchange of practices and enhance international cooperation in nature education, thus contributing to building a community that supports all life on Earth.

The seminar featured the release of an initiative, release of project outcomes, story sharing, panel discussion, and a thematic exhibition. It was supported by Center for Environmental Education and Communications of Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Publicity Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Bureau of International Cooperation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chinese Society of Forestry, Zhejiang University, Beijing Forestry University, Southwest Forestry University, Beijing City University, the International Alliance of Protected Areas (IAPA/ISZS), and China Map Press Group Co., Ltd. More than 150 representatives from over 20 countries—including Cameroon, Chile, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Russia, Senegal, Kazakhstan, and Austria—as well as international organizations, attended the seminar. The event was moderated by Dr. Zhang Shizhuan, Deputy Director of the ANSO Secretariat.

Prof. HE Hongping, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Vice President of ANSO, and Dr. Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, delivered opening remarks. Prof. He expressed the hope that the seminar would further build international consensus, advance cooperation on nature education, empower nature education science and technology, and foster the global sharing of experiences, thereby continuously promoting the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Dr. Brito, in her speech, highly commended the contributions of ANSO and CAS in promoting scientific cooperation and nature education. She called on all stakeholders to work together to promote inclusive and geographically balanced practices in nature education, strengthen science–policy–society interface, and conduct joint research on the socio-economic impact of nature education, in order to support global sustainable development.

Prof. LIU Weidong, Executive Director of ANSO, announced the Initiative of International Cooperation on Nature Education, which represents a joint effort by ANSO, UNESCO MAB China and ISZS. This initiative highlights the significant role of nature education in fostering harmony between humans and nature, as well as calls for integrating nature education into protected area strategies, promoting international cooperation, empowering nature education through science and technology, and amplifying local success practices worldwide.

The side event officially released two ANSO reports for the first time: one is the Good Practices of Women's Contributions to Nature Education in Protected Areas—International Stories from the Chinese Biosphere Reserves Network (CBRN) and Belt and Road Partner Countries, which presents 74 exemplary practices from 9 countries. This report comprehensively and vividly showcases the outstanding contributions of women in nature education. The report is also the outcome of an important project supported by the UNESCO Participation Programme. Another one is the Good Practices of Nature Education in the Chinese Biosphere Reserves Network (CBRN), which focuses on highlighting the ecological value, flagship species, and innovative practices in nature education across 11 protected areas in China.

During the story sharing session, female representatives from protected areas in Belt and Road Partner Countries and the CBRN shared their front-line stories of practice in nature education. They demonstrated unique perspectives and resilient strength of women in promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, based on their roles as protected area managers, researchers, educators, leaders of social organizations, and community residents.

During a panel discussion moderated by Professor WANG Ding, Secretary-General of MAB China, experts convened to explore multi-stakeholder support for the Initiative of International Cooperation on Nature Education and its role in fulfilling the UNESCO MAB Programme's vision. The panel, featuring experts spanning international protected areas and environmental agencies, underscored the unanimous consensus on strengthening transnational and cross-departmental cooperation to promote nature education from concept to implementation. The panelists included Dr. Günter Köck, member of the Advisory Group World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves, Ms. Tatiana Iashina, Deputy Director of Russia FSBI State Nature Biosphere Reserve "Katunskiy", Dr. ZHU Zhenxu, Director of the Education Office of Center for Environmental Education and Communications of Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and Mr. SUN Lijun, Deputy Director of China Three-river-source National Park Administration.

To enhance interaction and experience, an interactive exhibition themed on "Nature Education Stories in Protected Areas" was held from September 22 to 25 at the international exhibition area of the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves. A total of 30 protected areas from 9 countries set up special zones, presenting their practices through video loops, themed panels, interpretations, and interactions with visitors. The immersive exhibition attracted numerous international guests, captivating them with the charm of nature education and sparking enthusiastic responses.

The seminar brought together outstanding achievements and valuable experiences in global nature education, establishing an international platform for cooperation and exchange. It injected new momentum into telling China's stories well, disseminating China's wisdom, and promoting the high-quality development of nature education in protected areas worldwide.