27 August 2025
BGE Connects to take place next September 30th and October 1st in Brussels
Biodiversity Genomics Connects (Brussels, 30 Sept – 1 Oct, 2025) will be a two-day, two-part 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
Unlocking the power of genomic science for nature and the bioeconomy in Europe (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 30 Sept. – 1 Oct.)

The symposium is the distinctly scientific half of BGE Connects. It is focused on use of DNA methods and genomic science to support biomonitoring, conservation and utilisation of biodiversity – with a special emphasis on what is needed to facilitate mainstreaming and operationalisation of genomic methods for biodiversity across Europe. The meeting will consist of presentations on the state-of-the-art, and the practicalities of deployment, and then lead to discussion sessions aimed at prioritizing actions to guide future progress. Throughout the symposium, we aim to facilitate discussion between researchers, practitioners, policy leads, business, and civil society actors and the meeting also includes a networking reception.
SYMPOSIUM PROGRAMME
ROUNDTABLE
Biodiversity innovation: Enabling technology for nature and green growth (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 1 Oct.)

Right after the technical sessions, Biodiversity Genomics Connects ‘s roundtable will explore policy-related 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? Addressing 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 will organise the policy roundtable in collaboration with Science Business.
The roundtable is a closed meeting. A report summarising the main conclusions of the discussion will be made available after the event.
This event will take place under the patronage of the European Parliament.

FEATURED SPEAKERS
Costas Kadis
European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
Nicolas Gonzalez
Member of the European Parliament for Spain
Pernille Weiss-Ehler
Member of Cabinet for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy, European Commission
Gilles Doignon
Team Leader Biodiversity & Nature-Based Solutions, DG RTD, European Commission
Eva Mayerhofer
Head of Environment Policy Unit Lead Biodiversity Specialist, European Investment Bank (EIB)
Richard Cronin
Water, Biodiversity and Housing Counsellor, Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU
Paul Hebert
Chief Executive Officer, International Barcode of Life (iBOL)
Ivan Davor Kulis
Head of Unit, Nature Conservation and Observations, Joint Research Centre, European Commission
Robert-Jan Smits
President Emeritus Eindhoven University of Technology. Former Director-General for Research and Innovation (RTD) at the European Commission
Faiza Ouhlasen
Associate Director Sustainability, KPMG
Gert Verreet
Chair of Working Group Environment, European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)
Dimitris Koureas
Chief Information Officer and Managing Director, Digital Strategy and Innovation, Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Amber Hartman Scholz
Head of Science Policy and Internationalisation, Leibniz Institut DSMZ
Pete Hollingsworth
Director of Science and Deputy Keeper, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Ana Casino
Executive Director, Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities
David Castle
Researcher in Residence. Office of the Chief Science Advisor, Government of Canada
Camila Mazzoni
Research Group Lead. Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
Magda Bou Dagher
Principal Scientist. Mediterranean Facility, European Forest Institute (EFI)
Andrew Nisbet
Deputy Director Monitoring, Natural England