MAB UNESCO Youth Forum 2026: young people at the heart of biosphere action

When: 18–22 May 2026. Where: UNESCO Biosphere Reserves of the Po Delta and the Euganean Hills. Programme presentation on 15 May aboard the Goletta Catholica.

The 3rd MAB UNESCO Youth World Forum brings together over 150 participants aged 18–35 from the global Biosphere Reserves network. The meeting aims to strengthen youth roles in environmental governance and co-design joint strategies to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable territorial development.

Goals and expected outcomes

• MAB Youth Declaration 2026, a statement of youth priorities and commitments;
• Global Roadmap 2026–2035 outlining youth-led actions across Biosphere Reserves;
• Operational recommendations to permanently integrate youth into MAB decision-making processes.

Programme highlights

During the five days participants will attend plenary sessions, thematic workshops, working groups, field visits and cultural activities across the two Italian reserves. The agenda is designed to share local practices and scalable solutions linking nature conservation, cultural heritage and sustainable economies.

Organisers and context

The Forum is promoted by the MAB UNESCO Programme and the UNESCO Office for Science and Culture in Europe, with national and local support. It follows the adoption of the Hangzhou Strategic Plan 2026–2035, which emphasises youth engagement as a central priority.

For visitors: field activities offer direct insight into conservation practices and sustainable development models applied in the Po Delta and Euganean Hills Biosphere Reserves.