Representatives from the world's major tropical rainforests will convene in Haikou, Hainan Province, China, from Nov. 18 to 22, 2026, for the 2026 Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem Partners Conference. The event, announced via Media OutReach Newswire, will bring together participants from the Amazon, the Congo Basin, the Malay Archipelago, and the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest under the theme "Global Treasures · Shared Future." The gathering underscores a shared international commitment to protecting rainforests and advancing sustainable development.
Tropical rainforests cover less than one-tenth of the Earth's land area but harbor more than half of the world's plant and animal species, making their conservation a global priority. Hainan, China's only tropical island province, protects the country's largest and best-preserved contiguous tropical rainforest on a continental island. Since its establishment in 2021, the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest has grown to over 4,269 square kilometers, safeguarding more than 95 percent of Hainan Island's primary forests. Its forest coverage rate stands at 95.9 percent, and both water and air quality excellence rates reach 100 percent.
The park's ecological achievements over the past five years are notable. The Hainan gibbon population has increased to 44 individuals across seven groups, the only gibbon population worldwide to show sustained growth. Additionally, 91 previously undocumented wild plant and animal species have been recorded in the park. An integrated space-air-ground ecological monitoring system now provides round-the-clock protection of the rainforest ecosystem, and the "Bawangling Model" for Hainan gibbon conservation has been recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a global model for protecting rare species.
The conference will feature two keynote forums and four parallel forums examining how forests serve as reservoirs of water, sources of food, generators of economic value, and carbon sinks. Topics will include water conservation and aquatic ecological security, sustainable use of forest food resources, unlocking the value of ecological products, and carbon management in rainforests. These discussions are expected to foster international exchange and share best practices in rainforest governance.
A central focus will be Hainan's pursuit of dual World Heritage recognition for its natural and cultural heritage. The conference will mobilize global expertise to support the nomination of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of Li Ethnic Group for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a mixed natural and cultural heritage property. This initiative seeks to explore new approaches to rainforest governance that prioritize ecological protection while delivering tangible benefits to local communities.
Supporting events will include "Rainforest Night," a showcase of Hainan's intangible cultural heritage featuring Li and Miao traditions; the "Hidden Realms · Shared Life" photography exhibition; and the "Gifts of Nature" Ecological Products Market, which highlights innovative ways to turn ecological resources into economic value. Field expeditions and the public-interest initiative "Breathe Deep in the Rainforest · Protect Our Shared Habitat" will offer participants immersive experiences in the rainforest.
As the Hainan Free Trade Port approaches the first anniversary of its island-wide special customs operations and the national park marks its fifth anniversary, the conference positions China's green credentials on the world stage and provides a platform for international dialogue and cooperation on rainforest conservation. The outcomes could influence global conservation strategies and set a precedent for balancing ecological protection with community development.
