The 2026 Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem Partners Conference will bring together global experts in Haikou, China, from November 18 to 22 to discuss rainforest conservation, biodiversity protection, sustainable use of forest resources and climate action.

A global conference on tropical rainforest conservation will be held in Haikou, in China’s Hainan Province, from November 18 to 22, 2026, bringing together representatives of major rainforest regions to discuss biodiversity protection and sustainable development.

The 2026 Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem Partners Conference will be held under the theme “Global Treasures · Shared Future”. Participants from regions including the Amazon, the Congo Basin and the Malay Archipelago will join discussions with representatives of the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest.

Tropical rainforests cover less than one-tenth of the Earth’s land area but support more than half of the world’s plant and animal species. They also play an important role in regulating the climate, storing carbon and maintaining water systems.

Established in 2021, the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest covers more than 4,269 sq km and protects over 95% of Hainan Island’s primary forests. According to the organisers, the park’s forest coverage rate stands at 95.9%, while its water and air quality excellence rates are both 100%.

Hainan’s conservation efforts

One of the key conservation achievements reported by the park is the recovery of the Hainan gibbon, one of the world’s rarest primates. Its population has grown to 44 individuals across seven groups, making it the only gibbon population globally to have recorded sustained growth.

The park has also recorded 91 previously undocumented wild plant and animal species. An integrated monitoring system using space, air and ground-based technologies is being used to track changes in the rainforest ecosystem.

The Bawangling Model for Hainan gibbon conservation has also been recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a model for protecting rare species.

Conference to focus on forests, water and climate

The conference will feature two keynote forums and four parallel sessions covering water conservation, aquatic ecosystem protection, sustainable use of forest food resources, the economic value of ecological products and carbon management in rainforests.

The discussions will examine how forests can support water security, food resources, local livelihoods and climate action while maintaining their ecological value.

Another focus will be Hainan’s efforts to seek UNESCO World Heritage recognition for the Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of the Li Ethnic Group as a mixed natural and cultural heritage property.

The initiative aims to bring together international expertise to develop approaches that combine forest conservation with benefits for local communities.

Cultural events and rainforest visits

Alongside the formal discussions, the conference will host cultural and public events, including a showcase of the intangible cultural heritage of the Li and Miao communities.

A photography exhibition titled “Hidden Realms · Shared Life” and an ecological products market called “Gifts of Nature” will highlight the region’s biodiversity and forest-based products.

Field visits, media tours and a public awareness initiative titled “Breathe Deep in the Rainforest · Protect Our Shared Habitat” will also be organised.

The conference comes as Hainan marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of its tropical rainforest national park. Organisers expect the gathering to provide a platform for international cooperation on rainforest conservation and sustainable development.