UNESCO hosts a training workshop for the Co-Construction of a Biosphere Reserve in Aruba.
ORANJESTAD – News headlines often remind us of environmental crises: coral reefs bleaching, fragile lakes under threat, and species disappearing forever.
Yet amid this sobering reality, some places shine as proof that another future is possible. UNESCO calls them biosphere reserves—pockets of hope where people and nature thrive jointly.
More than 750 biosphere reserves exist today worldwide. Each is unique, but all share a common mission: to safeguard biodiversity while improving the lives of local communities. They demonstrate that humanity and nature need not be in conflict but can cultivate a shared future built on coexistence.
Why Aruba?
Though small in size, Aruba’s natural wealth is extraordinary. Its semi-arid landscape tells a story of resilience, while its coasts shelter mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs—ecosystems that protect against storms, sustain marine life, and inspire wonder. The island already hosts five Ramsar sites of international importance and Arikok National Park.
Ramsar sites, named after the Iranian city where countries signed a global wetlands protection treaty in 1971, safeguard wetlands and salt marshes essential to people, wildlife, and ecosystems. Yet, despite these achievements, Aruba has not been recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Such a designation would link Aruba’s natural treasures to a global network of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development.
A Transformative Opportunity
Becoming the first UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands would position Aruba as a regional leader in sustainability. It would also foster exchanges with other reserves in the Caribbean, such as those in St. Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. Aruba could share its experiences while learning from others, serving as a model for neighboring islands and proving that sustainable living is both real and attainable.
In late August, an important step was taken. The UNESCO office, together with UNESCO Aruba, hosted a workshop bringing together government institutions, civil society, academia, and industry. The Governor of Aruba and the Prime Minister attended, underscoring the initiative’s significance. The message was clear: a biosphere reserve cannot be built by the government alone. Its success depends on the active participation of fishermen, farmers, teachers, tour guides, entrepreneurs, and youth. Their knowledge, traditions, and creativity are what transform the idea into a living reality.
The Road Ahead
UNESCO will continue to support this process. The momentum is here, and so is the opportunity. With strong collaboration among local stakeholders, Aruba can prepare its first proposal and join the global network of biosphere reserves.
This effort comes at a critical time. World leaders have pledged to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. We are living in both the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals. Each new biosphere reserve strengthens these commitments. Aruba’s contribution could resonate far beyond its shores.
More than Conservation
A biosphere reserve is not just an international label; it enhances everyday life. It promotes practices that sustain local livelihoods while protecting landscapes. It inspires schools and youth, ensuring the next generation inherits not only natural resources but also pride and responsibility. It strengthens food security through sustainable agriculture and fisheries while celebrating cultural traditions that keep communities strong.
Unlike other conservation models, a biosphere reserve doesn’t exclude people—it places them at the center. It is not a museum of nature but a living landscape where people and the environment advance together.
A Call to Action
In a world often paralyzed by environmental despair, UNESCO’s biosphere reserves remind us of what is possible. They are islands of hope across continents and seas, proving that with imagination and commitment, people and nature can flourish side by side.
Aruba, already admired worldwide for its natural beauty, deserves to be one of these beacons of hope. The recent workshop showed that the will exists. The journey has begun. Now is the time to move forward together—with confidence—to make Aruba’s first UNESCO biosphere reserve a reality.