Highlights from World Biodiversity Forum 2026
From 14 to 19 May, BMD was present at the 4th World Biodiversity Forum 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, organised by the University of Zurich. The theme for this year was “Leading Transformation Together”, containing 10 different thematic tracks, and it involved more than 1000 participants across 70 countries.
Participation
BMD was mentioned by partner Robert Waterhouse (SIB) in a workshop and two presentations on the topic of genome-enabled indicators for biodiversity monitoring, as well as by Alexandra Korcheva (Pensoft Publishers) in a presentation on FAIR policies:
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“Genome(ics)‑enabled indicators for biodiversity targets” (workshop) - identification of where genomics strengthens Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs), how to align these indicators across borders, and what is needed to make them operational
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“Literature mining of species traits integrated with genomics to transform biodiversity modelling” (presentation) - the gaps in accessing and standardising traits and genomic data
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“Reference genomes: practical and powerful resources transforming the toolkit for genetic monitoring” (presentation) - the collaborative work of the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) and other conservation actors to generate reference genomes for biodiversity monitoring
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“From FAIR Data to FAIR Policy: Strengthening the Biodiversity Science-Policy Interface through Open Science” (presentation) - an overview of the FAIR practices and open science policies and the EU projects applying them in their work
Robert Waterhouse presenting at the WBF
Exhibition
Throughout the event, BMD materials, like brochures, stickers, a policy brief, and the BMD introductory video, were showcased and distributed at the Pensoft Publishers’ booth along with materials from the other relevant Hoziron Europe projects.
BMD introductory video, playing at the dissemination table
The World Biodiversity Forum 2026 was an opportunity to create broad and strong networks for transformation, bringing science, society, and businesses together, across generations. The next WBF will take place in 2028, and it will build on the valuable experience from previous World Biodiversity Forums.
