Günter Köck, an associated scientist at the IGF, has been invited to participate in the Technical Meeting of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves (WNMBR), which takes place from 23 to 24 March 2026 at the Montseny Biosphere Reserve in Spain. 
The technical meeting has two objectives. Firstly, the Action Plan of the WNMBR for the next two years will be reviewed and discussed, ensuring its alignment with the new UNESCO MAB Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan for 2026 to 2035. 
Secondly, the meeting will define a roadmap for updating the 'Global Change in Mountain Regions' (GLOCHAMORE) research strategy so that it can respond effectively to emerging global challenges, new scientific priorities and the evolving needs of mountain biosphere reserves.

GLOCHAMORE was a worldwide network that was established in 2003 to study global change processes in mountains. Funded by the European Commission and sponsored by UNESCO-MAB, in collaboration with the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI) and the University of Vienna (Austria), the GLOCHAMORE project examined the main causes of global and climate change in mountain biosphere reserves.
The GLOCHAMORE Research Strategy was developed as a result of five international workshops and one Open Science Conference held in Perth, Scotland, in 2005. It is based on the experience of over 20 mountain biosphere reserve managers and the expertise of over 300 scientists from all continents. It recommends specific measures for identifying and monitoring signals of global and climate change in mountain biosphere reserves worldwide and proposes corresponding local and regional actions.
After more than 20 years, the research strategy is now set to be revised and adapted to address current and future challenges.