The 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, the premier global conference under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, opened in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on Sept 22.

China, which joined the MAB Programme in 1973, is now home to 34 UNESCO biosphere reserves — the highest number in Asia.

A biosphere reserve is a protected area meant for the conservation of plants and animals. These areas, dubbed by some as "learning places for sustainable development," are nominated by a national government and designated by UNESCO's MAB Programme.

This year's congress is also the first time the prestigious UNESCO conference has been held outside Europe and the Americas, underscoring the global recognition of China's contributions to the MAB Programme. CGTN reporter Liu Jiaxin has the latest.