Changnyeong-gun Successfully Hosts Ceremony and Concert Celebrating UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Designation

Fostering Pride and Enhancing Value Awareness

Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 3rd that the UNESCO Changnyeong Biosphere Reserve Designation Ceremony and Concert were successfully held at the Changnyeong Culture and Arts Center Grand Performance Hall, with over 500 residents and attendees present.

Following the designation of the entire Changnyeong-gun area, with Upo Wetland and Hwawangsan Mountain as core zones, as a 'UNESCO Biosphere Reserve' at the 36th UNESCO MAB International Coordinating Council held in Agadir, Morocco, this past July, a commemorative ceremony and celebratory concert were organized to instill pride among local residents and enhance awareness of its value.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Designation Commemoration Ceremony Held. Provided by Changnyeong-gun

A 'Biosphere Reserve' is one of the three major designated areas selected by UNESCO (UNESCO), alongside World Heritage Sites and Global Geoparks, aimed at conserving biodiversity, promoting community development, and maintaining cultural values. Being designated as a biosphere reserve allows for the simultaneous pursuit of conservation and development goals, including ecotourism, sustainable community development, and diverse exchanges connected to a global network.

Additionally, the designation as a biosphere reserve does not entail any additional legal regulations or activity restrictions beyond existing domestic laws.

Prior to the commemorative event, a meeting of the UNESCO MAB Korea Committee General Assembly was held at Gyeonghwa Hall in conjunction with the ceremony, where various issues concerning biosphere reserves and the vision and development direction of the Changnyeong Biosphere Reserve were discussed.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Designation Commemoration Ceremony Held. Provided by Changnyeong-gun

The ceremony was attended by key domestic figures from the Ministry of Environment, UNESCO MAB Korea Committee, Korea National Park Service, and Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office. Co-chairman Jo Do-sun of the UNESCO MAB Korea Committee, representing UNESCO, presented the 'UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Certification' to Seong Nak-in, the mayor of Changnyeong-gun.

Additionally, congratulatory speeches were delivered by Hong Seong-du, chairman of the county council, Kim Tae-o, director of the Ministry of Environment’s Nature Conservation Bureau, and a congratulatory video message from Park Wan-su, governor of Gyeongnam Province. The concert featured a celebratory performance by singer Ryu Ji-kwang, known from Mr. Trot, providing an opportunity for residents to celebrate the designation of the Changnyeong Biosphere Reserve together.

Mayor Seong Nak-in stated, “Starting with the inscription of Yeongsan Juldarigi on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2015, followed by the registration of the Changnyeong Gyodong and Songhyeon-dong Tumuli as World Heritage Sites in 2023, and most recently, the designation of the UNESCO Changnyeong Biosphere Reserve in July as the first in the Yeongnam region, we share the joy of becoming a UNESCO triple crown city with the residents of Changnyeong. Moving forward, we will develop Changnyeong into an eco-friendly ecological cultural city befitting a UNESCO premium ecotourism city.”