4 June 2025
BGE will host the Biodiversity Genomics Connects event in Brussels
As the BGE project approaches its last stretch, our community is organising an event that promises to shed substantial light on crucial aspects of the future of biodiversity genomics in Europe. Biodiversity Genomics Connects (Brussels, 30 Sept – 1 Oct, 2025) will be a two-day gathering to bring together researchers, innovators, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Europe to reflect on the state of the art and the path ahead for biodiversity genomics both in technical and policy-related terms.
SYMPOSIUM AND DISCUSSION SESSIONS
Unlocking the power of genomic science for nature and the bioeconomy in Europe
Royal Belgian institute of Natural Sciences (Brussels), 30 Sept. – 1 Oct
The event will open with a sessions programme under the rather suggestive title Unlocking the power of genomic science for nature and the bioeconomy in Europe. An introductory block focused on the current state of biodiversity genomics will lead the way for more specific themes. Among them, the practical needs of practitioners and decision-makers, the (necessary) support to mainstream deployment of biodiversity genomics innovations in Europe, and the vision for a future research infrastructure to crystalise that deployment and provide sustainability to our scientific impact. The sessions will lay out the critical importance of coordinated operationalisation, shared infrastructures, and the construction of robust reference libraries.
Preliminary Policy Roundtable programme
(To be published soon)
POLICY ROUNDTABLE
Biodiversity innovation: Enabling technology for nature and green growth
TBD (Brussels), 1 Oct
Right after the technical sessions, Biodiversity Genomics Connects will move to a dynamic roundtable with thought leaders in science, business, and policy. The roundtable will explore questions such as: What are the most promising biodiversity genomic innovations for enhancing ecosystem resilience and climate adaptation? What infrastructure is needed to avoid bottlenecks, ensure continuity, interoperability, application, and open access to biodiversity genomic data? How can biodiversity genomic technologies accelerate green growth? Can Europe become a driving force for international collaboration to tackle systemic biodiversity challenges? Adressing these topics across the policy and scientific community will enable us to explore how Europe can better capitalise on the potential of biodiversity genomic innovations for nature and green growth.
BGE wil organise the policy roundtable in collaboration with:
As environmental challenges escalate, the Connects event that BGE will host next autumn in Brussels will offer a timely opportunity to spotlight biodiversity genomics as a foundational, effective asset for biodiversity discovery and monitoring, able to guide conservation policies and contribute to the development of a European green future.
Preliminary Policy Roundtable programme
14:00 Welcome
14:05 Theme 1 – Addressing the biodiversity crisis: What is at stake?
14:45 Theme 2 – Biodiversity genomic innovations as a green growth enabler
— 15:30 Coffee break —
16:00 Theme 3 – Setting up a policy framework to capitalise on opportunities arising from innovations in genomic science for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use
16:55 Conclusions
17:00 Networking event
(All times are indicative)
