From November 18 to 22, 2026, Haikou, Hainan Province, China, will host the 2026 Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem Partners Conference, a global gathering dedicated to protecting the Earth's "green lungs." The event, announced via Media OutReach Newswire, will bring together representatives from major rainforests around the world, including the Amazon, the Congo Basin, and the Malay Archipelago, to engage in dialogue and exchange with the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest.
Under the theme "Global Treasures · Shared Future," the conference underscores a shared commitment to rainforest conservation and sustainable development. Tropical rainforests cover less than one-tenth of the Earth's land area but are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species, making their protection critical for global biodiversity and climate stability.
Hainan, China's only tropical island province, hosts the country's largest, most concentrated, and best-preserved contiguous tropical rainforest on a continental island. Established in 2021, the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest spans over 4,269 square kilometers and protects more than 95 percent of Hainan Island's primary forests. Its forest coverage rate remains stable at 95.9 percent, while water and air quality excellence rates both stand at 100 percent.
Over the past five years, the park has achieved notable ecological successes. The Hainan gibbon population has grown to 44 individuals across seven groups, making it the only gibbon population in the world 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 monitoring and protection, 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 explore how forests serve as reservoirs of water, sources of food, generators of economic value, and carbon sinks. Two keynote forums and four parallel forums will address key topics such as 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 aim to foster exchanges of ideas and sharing of experience among participants.
A central focus will be Hainan's efforts to secure dual World Heritage recognition for its natural and cultural heritage. The conference will bring together 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 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 the traditions of the Li and Miao ethnic groups; the "Hidden Realms · Shared Life" Hainan Tropical Rainforest Photography Exhibition; and the "Gifts of Nature" Ecological Products Market, which highlights innovative ways to turn ecological resources into tangible benefits. Field expeditions, media tours, and the public-interest initiative "Breathe Deep in the Rainforest · Protect Our Shared Habitat" will offer participants immersive experiences of the rainforest's ecosystems.
As the Hainan Free Trade Port approaches the first anniversary of island-wide special customs operations and the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest marks its fifth anniversary, the conference will serve as China's green calling card to the world and provide a platform for international dialogue and cooperation on rainforest conservation. For businesses and policymakers, the event signals growing opportunities in ecological products, carbon management, and sustainable tourism, while underscoring the importance of global partnerships in protecting vital natural resources.
