The WNMBR held a side-event at the International Mountain Conference 2022, which took place in Innsbruck, Austria, from 14 to 18 September.

The conference advocated for an inter- and transdisciplinary approach to mountain science, with seven plenaries and more than 90 focus sessions covering a wide range of topics, such as water cycle change, climate change adaptation, transhumance, recreation or social innovation.

The focus session on WNMBR was led by Paola Fontanella, United Nations University, on 14 September 2022. It brought together experts from mountain biosphere reserves and beyond, including Carolina Adler, Sebastian Boret Penmellen, Maria Cardenas, Günter Köck, Martin Price, Thomas Schaaf, Stefan Schneiderbauer and James Thornton. The panel discussed the value of mountain biosphere reserves, as socio-ecological systems, in connecting science, practice and policy within model areas for sustainable development.

The WNMBR also had the opportunity of receiving contributions from other biosphere reserves that work on the relationship between science and technology with local knowledge and practical management.

In accordance with the outcome-driven conference format, the WNMBR panel joined one of the seven synthesis workshops to produce a common reflection, namely on social innovation and community resource management. Here, the panel joined other experts from other sessions to discuss and compare current solutions.

The WNMBR expects to take part in the next edition of the conference that will take place in 2025.