The WCBR is a major global gathering that brings together the biosphere reserves' community to define its strategy for the next 10 years. A BRI team, including Prof. Carsten Mann, Prof. Martin Welp, Dr. Ana Filipa Ferreira, Prof. Erik Aschenbrand and Prof. Denise Matias, activity participated in the event that took place in Hangzhou, China. We organised side events, (keynote) presentations and an information booth. The new Hangzhou Action Plan highlights biosphere reserves as living laboratories for sustainability and biodiversity.