Today, the 38th session of the International Co-ordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, held in Hernandarias, Paraguay, officially approved the designation of a Biosphere Reserve in Aruba, recognizing the entire island as part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The reserve covers the whole island, with a surface area of approximately 19,300 hectares and incorporating the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of nearly 3 million hectares. The Aruba Biosphere Reserve is home to approximately 108,000 inhabitants.
This historic achievement is the result of a robust and inclusive co-creation process involving government institutions, local communities, civil society, scientists, and private sector stakeholders, with technical assistance from the UNESCO Regional Office for the Caribbean.
“The concept of biosphere reserves is particularly adapted to the reality of the Caribbean and Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” said Eric Falt, Director and UNESCO Representative for the UNESCO Regional Office for the Caribbean. “These territories demonstrate how biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, and sustainable development can go hand in hand. We hope that Aruba’s designation will inspire other countries in the region to consider this model and join the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.”
Prior to Aruba’s designation, the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean region counted only two biosphere reserves: the Saint Mary’s Biosphere Reserve in Saint Kitts & Nevis and the North East Tobago Biosphere Reserve in Trinidad & Tobago. Aruba now strengthens the Caribbean’s presence in this global network and reinforces the region’s role in advancing innovative approaches to sustainability.
Despite its modest size, Aruba is a land of extraordinary contrasts and remarkable natural wealth. Its relatively dry landscapes, which may seem harsh at first glance, reveal an exceptional living heritage. Tall cacti, unique desert-adapted plants, and rare bird species demonstrate that life flourishes even in the most unexpected environments.
Along the island’s coast, mangroves and seagrass meadows serve as essential habitats for marine life, while coral reefs thrive beneath the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Together, these ecosystems not only act as sanctuaries for rare and endemic species, but also sustain livelihoods, fortify resilience against severe weather, and preserve Aruba’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
Looking ahead, establishing the Aruba Biosphere Reserve positions the island as a leader in sustainable development within the Caribbean region. It opens doors for enhanced regional cooperation with Saint Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, as well as other biosphere reserves in the Caribbean Basin — including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
The designation will allow Aruba to share lessons learned while benefiting from the experiences, innovations, and scientific expertise of biosphere reserves worldwide. It also sends a powerful message to neighboring islands that sustainability is not a distant vision, but a practical and achievable reality.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are internationally recognized as “learning places for sustainable development” at local, national, regional, and global levels. They serve as sites to test interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing interactions between social and ecological systems, including biodiversity conservation, cultural diversity, and sustainable resource management. These territories provide local solutions to global challenges, promoting methods that reconcile nature conservation with sustainable development.
At the opening of the 38th session of the MAB International Co-ordinating Council, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves counted 784 sites across 142 countries. During this year’s session, the Council reviewed a new series of nominations and extension requests from around the globe, including Aruba, reflecting the growing international momentum for sustainability, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation.
Aruba’s designation as a Biosphere Reserve marks a historic moment for the island, for the Caribbean region, and for the global movement toward a more sustainable and resilient future.