FOCUS ON BIODIVERSITY: NEW DAWN BECKONS AHEAD OF GLOBAL REVIEW

FOCUS ON BIODIVERSITY: NEW DAWN BECKONS AHEAD OF GLOBAL REVIEW

In October, focus shifts to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The CBD is the first global agreement to cover all aspects of biological diversity

Two intergovernmental meetings on biodiversity are coming up in Panama City from October 20-30, 2025, namely:

  • SBSTTA – 27: The 27th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technical Advice, October 20-24, 2025
  • SB8J-1: First meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and other Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

Key issues on the agenda:

The meeting will address global review of the progress since the Framework’s adoption at COP 15 in December 2022 in Montreal.

Issues to be addressed:

SBSTTA- 27 will address key scientific and technical aspects that relate to the implementation of the framework.

Progress towards achieving the targets and identify the gaps.

The report on global progress, will provide a basis for the review to take place at COP 17 but also provide the direction needed scientifically, technically and in implementation.

What is at stake?

The meeting will review policy recommendations of the new assessment by the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

(Source: Global media briefing by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity)

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR BIOSAFETY RESEARCH (ISBR) HOSTS SYMPOSIUM IN NOVEMBER

From November 2, 2025, the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium in partnership with the Gene Convene initiative, will host a session at the International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) symposium in Ghent, Belgium.

The session will be led under the banner of the Scicom Forum, which was formed to advance communicating genetic biocontrol and biotechnology. The forum brings together journalists, scientists, researchers and science communicators.

The topic of the workshop will cover communicating the science of Genetically Modified organisms (GMO) and emerging biotechnology tools. The session will convene scientists, researchers, developers and science journalists to review experiences, explore barriers in science communication and share skills to overcome them.

The theme of the 17th ISBR Symposium is “Cultivating Bio-Innovation for a Sustainable Future”

The sessions at the symposium are aimed at aim at creating awareness and advancing public understanding and support for bio- innovation.

The ISBR aims to promote scientifically sound research that supports biosafety assessment by improving communication among scientists who study plants, animals and microbes using modern biotechnology.