The 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves took place on March 13. - 17. 2016 in Lima, Peru. The Congress addressed issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, such as education for sustainable development, the economic viability of nature conservation systems, human migration and protection of natural resources, as well as climate change, among others.

The Congress had three main objectives:
- to review implementation of the Madrid Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves 2008–2013, the Seville Strategy and the Statutory Framework of 1995.
- assess lessons learned and new challenges faced by the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
- develop and launch an Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves for 2016–2025.

Two main outcomes of the Congress were created and approved (click to open the documents):

- The Lima Declaration: This will enable stakeholders to share experiences on managing biosphere reserves and contribute to efforts to address challenges such as climate change

- The Lima Action Plan of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves for 2016-2025: This action plan describes the role biosphere reserves will play during the coming decade in the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

The only representative of Czech biosphere reserves participating on the Congress was Petr Cupa, our deputy director, who presented the Lower Morava BR, our work and partners through two posters in poster session and participation in various workshops.

The Czech National MAB Committee was represented by its chairman PhDr. Ivan Rynda.