30/05/2026
WOW-APAYAO
Apayao Designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
The province of Apayao has earned global recognition after being officially designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the “Biosphere Reserve of the yApayaos” during the 36th Session of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme held in Agadir, Morocco on July 5, 2024. The recognition made Apayao the fourth UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Philippines, joining Albay, Palawan, and Puerto Galera.
Known as the “Last Nature Frontier of the Cordillera,” Apayao was recognized for its vast forests, rich biodiversity, thriving river systems, and strong indigenous conservation practices. The biosphere reserve spans around 3,960 square kilometers and includes the Apayao Lowland Forest, one of Northern Luzon’s important Key Biodiversity Areas.
The province is home to many rare and endangered species, including the critically endangered Philippine Eagle. The discovery of the first active Philippine Eagle nest in Luzon in the forests of Calanasan became one of the major reasons behind Apayao’s push for UNESCO recognition.
UNESCO also highlighted the important role of Indigenous Cultural Communities in protecting Apayao’s environment. The Isnag people and other ethnolinguistic groups continue to practice traditional conservation systems such as the “Lapat,” a customary law that regulates the responsible use of natural resources and protects forests and wildlife.
The recognition is expected to strengthen environmental protection, sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation, and cultural preservation in the province. It also places Apayao on the global map as a model for harmony between people and nature.
Photo Courtesy || Province of Apayao
