Group Photo

From 02-05 September, the Training Workshop on Promotion of Ecotourism in UNESCO Designated Sites was held in Onon-Balj Biosphere Reserve Mongolia. It was co-organized by Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Environment and Tourism Mongolia, UNESCO Office in Beijing, World Wild Foundation Office in Mongolia, The Nature Conservancy office in Mongolia, and hosted by Administration Office of Onon-Balj National Park as well as Governor’s Office of Khentii Province and Dornod Province. 80 participants from Mongolia organizers and 10 administration offices of Biosphere Reserve, 6 administration offices of World Heritage properties attended the workshop. Ms. LI Hong, project director of WHITRAP Shanghai was invited to present on World Heritage and current Trends in Sustainable Tourism.

Ms. Li Hong, project director of WHITRAP Shanghai, introduced “World Heritage and current Trends in Sustainable Tourism”

Mongolia, with its rich natural and cultural heritage, has actively engaged with UNESCO's natural sciences programs since 1990. The country has registered 10 sites in UNESCO's Biosphere Reserves Network and listed 6 properties on the World Heritage List. Additionally, Mongolia is currently working on establishing its first UNESCO Geopark.

on the scene

The increasing number of UNESCO Designated sites globally underscores the importance of enhancing community engagement, promoting ecotourism, and strengthening organizational capacities. Local authorities and site managers play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainable management and preservation of these sites. The workshop enhanced the understanding of MAB programme, World Heritage Convention, and further discussed the management and community-led nature conservation, tourism development, waste management activities and project of ADB.

group work