Addis ababa: The designation of the Anywaa Biosphere Reserve as a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserve demonstrates Ethiopia’s success in biodiversity protection and green economy strategy, experts said. The Anywaa Biosphere Reserve, located in the Gambella Regional State of Ethiopia, was officially designated as a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserve on September 27, 2025.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Anywaa Biosphere Reserve encompasses six major ecosystems which are Moist Afromontane Forests, Transitional Rainforests, Combretum-Terminalia Woodlands, Riverine Forests/Vegetation, Wetlands, and Wooded Grasslands/Savannahs. Forestry and wildlife experts noted that the biosphere reserve designation will increase the country’s protected area coverage and enable it to share its natural resource conservation and development efforts with the rest of the world.

Lead Executive Officer for Forest and Rangeland Plants Biodiversity Research at the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Abera Seyo
um, emphasized the biosphere’s role in natural resource conservation, benefiting the community by conserving biodiversity, ensuring sustainable development, and facilitating research. EBI has been instrumental in the activities leading to the designation of the Anywaa Biosphere by UNESCO over the past two years. The official designation took place in Hangzhou, China, in September 2025.

The reserve spans approximately over 1.8 million hectares and is recognized for its unique ecosystems, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. Abera Seyoum remarked that the designation will help achieve global conservation goals, aiming to increase Ethiopia’s protected areas from the current 12 percent to 30 percent. This designation is also expected to enhance Ethiopia’s global image by showcasing its rich natural assets.

Furthermore, the Anywaa Biosphere Reserve is pivotal in conveying Ethiopia’s experience in natural resource conservation to the world, promoting sustainable development by integrating favorable policies,
biodiversity, and community knowledge. Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) Director-General, Kumera Wakjira, highlighted that the Anywaa Biosphere Reserve, Ethiopia’s sixth biosphere reserve, plays a crucial role in expanding the country’s reserved areas.

Ethiopia’s other UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves include Sheka forest biosphere reserve, Majang forest biosphere reserve, Yayo coffee biosphere reserve, Kafa biosphere reserve, and Lake Tana biosphere reserve.