Officials pose for a group photo to mark Yunyan district in Guiyang being included in the latest batch of international cities joining the CitiesWithNature. [Photo/WeChat account of Guiyang news network]

Guiyang's Yunyan district has once again been recognized globally. On Sept 8, the latest batch of international cities joining the CitiesWithNature – launched since the opening of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD COP16) – was announced, with Yunyan district included.

CitiesWithNature is an interactive online platform developed in partnership with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and other organizations. It is the world's largest knowledge and case-sharing platform for urban biodiversity, providing guidelines, tools, and case studies to help cities reimagine their relationship with nature and pursue sustainable coexistence.

The certificate for Yunyan district for joining the CitiesWithNature. [Photo/WeChat account of Guiyang news network]

Entry is highly selective, requiring cities to demonstrate significant achievements in biodiversity conservation with exemplary and representative effect.

As the historic core of Guiyang, Yunyan district has been a political, economic, cultural, technological, and educational center since the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). The district features diverse terrain, a mild climate, abundant rainfall, and rich biodiversity, with ecosystems well protected.

In recent years, Yunyan has carried out major ecological restoration projects, including Guancheng River management and the upgrading of Qianlingshan Park, enhancing urban ecological quality while preserving its natural and cultural heritage.