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\n\tSave the date!<\/strong><\/h1>\n
Save the date!<\/strong><\/h1>\nWorld Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026 in Bruges<\/strong><\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/iabo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/wcmb2026-300x169.png\")
<\/h2>\nWe are thrilled to invite you to the seventh edition of the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity, which will be held from November 17-20th<\/sup>\u00a02026 (WCMB 2026<\/a>).<\/h2>\nThe World Conference has always travelled, and after fifteen years, it will again be hosted in Europe. Your local organizing institute is the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/a>), and the Conference will take place in the historical city of Bruges (Belgium).<\/h2>\nIn the same tradition of previous editions, the 2026 World Conference on Marine Biodiversity will once again be a major assembly opportunity to share research outcomes, management and policy topics, offer a platform to discuss current as well as emerging marine biodiversity issues, and identify ways to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems and their resources. The conference will bring together scientists, practitioners and policy makers, aiming to discuss and advance our understanding of the importance, past, current and future state of marine biodiversity.<\/h2>\nThe seventh edition of the World Conference will fly the UN Ocean Decade flag, as it has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Event. The overall theme of the Conference is \u201cThe marine biodiversity insights we need, for the ocean we want<\/em><\/strong>\u201d. As the Conference will take place a little over halfway through the UN Ocean Decade, it will provide an excellent opportunity to take stock of ongoing actions and initiatives, but also evaluate what still needs to be tackled by the end of the Decade.<\/h2>\nWant to stay informed about the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026? Check out the website at\u00a0www.wcmb2026.org<\/a>.<\/h2>\nDo not forget to register for our mailing list and newsletter at\u00a0http:\/\/www.wcmb2026.org\/newsletter<\/a>\u00a0 and follow us on social media:<\/h2>\n\n- \n
Twitter (X)\u00a0https:\/\/x.com\/wcmb2026<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n- \n
LinkedIn\u00a0https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/world-conference-on-marine-biodiversity-378410326\/<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe\u2019re very much looking forward to welcoming you in 2026!<\/h2>\nLeen Vandepitte<\/h2>\nOn behalf of the VLIZ local organizing committee<\/em><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/iabo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/wcmb2026_logos-300x233.png\")
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\n\n\tThe venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.iabo.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/wcmb2023_20-300x169.jpeg\")
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From left to right: Prof. Tan Shau Hwai (USM; VI WCMB organizer), Prof. Judith Gobin (UWI; IABO President), and Dr. Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/h2>\nWe are thrilled to invite you to the seventh edition of the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity, which will be held from November 17-20th<\/sup>\u00a02026 (WCMB 2026<\/a>).<\/h2>\nThe World Conference has always travelled, and after fifteen years, it will again be hosted in Europe. Your local organizing institute is the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/a>), and the Conference will take place in the historical city of Bruges (Belgium).<\/h2>\nIn the same tradition of previous editions, the 2026 World Conference on Marine Biodiversity will once again be a major assembly opportunity to share research outcomes, management and policy topics, offer a platform to discuss current as well as emerging marine biodiversity issues, and identify ways to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems and their resources. The conference will bring together scientists, practitioners and policy makers, aiming to discuss and advance our understanding of the importance, past, current and future state of marine biodiversity.<\/h2>\nThe seventh edition of the World Conference will fly the UN Ocean Decade flag, as it has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Event. The overall theme of the Conference is \u201cThe marine biodiversity insights we need, for the ocean we want<\/em><\/strong>\u201d. As the Conference will take place a little over halfway through the UN Ocean Decade, it will provide an excellent opportunity to take stock of ongoing actions and initiatives, but also evaluate what still needs to be tackled by the end of the Decade.<\/h2>\nWant to stay informed about the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026? Check out the website at\u00a0www.wcmb2026.org<\/a>.<\/h2>\nDo not forget to register for our mailing list and newsletter at\u00a0http:\/\/www.wcmb2026.org\/newsletter<\/a>\u00a0 and follow us on social media:<\/h2>\n\n- \n
Twitter (X)\u00a0https:\/\/x.com\/wcmb2026<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n- \n
LinkedIn\u00a0https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/world-conference-on-marine-biodiversity-378410326\/<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe\u2019re very much looking forward to welcoming you in 2026!<\/h2>\nLeen Vandepitte<\/h2>\nOn behalf of the VLIZ local organizing committee<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\n\tThe venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n
From left to right: Prof. Tan Shau Hwai (USM; VI WCMB organizer), Prof. Judith Gobin (UWI; IABO President), and Dr. Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
The World Conference has always travelled, and after fifteen years, it will again be hosted in Europe. Your local organizing institute is the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/a>), and the Conference will take place in the historical city of Bruges (Belgium).<\/h2>\nIn the same tradition of previous editions, the 2026 World Conference on Marine Biodiversity will once again be a major assembly opportunity to share research outcomes, management and policy topics, offer a platform to discuss current as well as emerging marine biodiversity issues, and identify ways to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems and their resources. The conference will bring together scientists, practitioners and policy makers, aiming to discuss and advance our understanding of the importance, past, current and future state of marine biodiversity.<\/h2>\nThe seventh edition of the World Conference will fly the UN Ocean Decade flag, as it has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Event. The overall theme of the Conference is \u201cThe marine biodiversity insights we need, for the ocean we want<\/em><\/strong>\u201d. As the Conference will take place a little over halfway through the UN Ocean Decade, it will provide an excellent opportunity to take stock of ongoing actions and initiatives, but also evaluate what still needs to be tackled by the end of the Decade.<\/h2>\nWant to stay informed about the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026? Check out the website at\u00a0www.wcmb2026.org<\/a>.<\/h2>\nDo not forget to register for our mailing list and newsletter at\u00a0http:\/\/www.wcmb2026.org\/newsletter<\/a>\u00a0 and follow us on social media:<\/h2>\n\n- \n
Twitter (X)\u00a0https:\/\/x.com\/wcmb2026<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n- \n
LinkedIn\u00a0https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/world-conference-on-marine-biodiversity-378410326\/<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe\u2019re very much looking forward to welcoming you in 2026!<\/h2>\nLeen Vandepitte<\/h2>\nOn behalf of the VLIZ local organizing committee<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\n\tThe venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n
From left to right: Prof. Tan Shau Hwai (USM; VI WCMB organizer), Prof. Judith Gobin (UWI; IABO President), and Dr. Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
The seventh edition of the World Conference will fly the UN Ocean Decade flag, as it has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Event. The overall theme of the Conference is \u201cThe marine biodiversity insights we need, for the ocean we want<\/em><\/strong>\u201d. As the Conference will take place a little over halfway through the UN Ocean Decade, it will provide an excellent opportunity to take stock of ongoing actions and initiatives, but also evaluate what still needs to be tackled by the end of the Decade.<\/h2>\nWant to stay informed about the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026? Check out the website at\u00a0www.wcmb2026.org<\/a>.<\/h2>\nDo not forget to register for our mailing list and newsletter at\u00a0http:\/\/www.wcmb2026.org\/newsletter<\/a>\u00a0 and follow us on social media:<\/h2>\n\n- \n
Twitter (X)\u00a0https:\/\/x.com\/wcmb2026<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n- \n
LinkedIn\u00a0https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/world-conference-on-marine-biodiversity-378410326\/<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe\u2019re very much looking forward to welcoming you in 2026!<\/h2>\nLeen Vandepitte<\/h2>\nOn behalf of the VLIZ local organizing committee<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\n\tThe venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n
From left to right: Prof. Tan Shau Hwai (USM; VI WCMB organizer), Prof. Judith Gobin (UWI; IABO President), and Dr. Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Do not forget to register for our mailing list and newsletter at\u00a0http:\/\/www.wcmb2026.org\/newsletter<\/a>\u00a0 and follow us on social media:<\/h2>\n\n- \n
Twitter (X)\u00a0https:\/\/x.com\/wcmb2026<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n- \n
LinkedIn\u00a0https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/world-conference-on-marine-biodiversity-378410326\/<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe\u2019re very much looking forward to welcoming you in 2026!<\/h2>\nLeen Vandepitte<\/h2>\nOn behalf of the VLIZ local organizing committee<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\n\tThe venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n
From left to right: Prof. Tan Shau Hwai (USM; VI WCMB organizer), Prof. Judith Gobin (UWI; IABO President), and Dr. Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Twitter (X)\u00a0https:\/\/x.com\/wcmb2026<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n- \n
LinkedIn\u00a0https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/world-conference-on-marine-biodiversity-378410326\/<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe\u2019re very much looking forward to welcoming you in 2026!<\/h2>\nLeen Vandepitte<\/h2>\nOn behalf of the VLIZ local organizing committee<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\n\tThe venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n
From left to right: Prof. Tan Shau Hwai (USM; VI WCMB organizer), Prof. Judith Gobin (UWI; IABO President), and Dr. Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
LinkedIn\u00a0https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/world-conference-on-marine-biodiversity-378410326\/<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWe\u2019re very much looking forward to welcoming you in 2026!<\/h2>\nLeen Vandepitte<\/h2>\nOn behalf of the VLIZ local organizing committee<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\n\tThe venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n
From left to right: Prof. Tan Shau Hwai (USM; VI WCMB organizer), Prof. Judith Gobin (UWI; IABO President), and Dr. Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Leen Vandepitte<\/h2>\nOn behalf of the VLIZ local organizing committee<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\n\tThe venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n
From left to right: Prof. Tan Shau Hwai (USM; VI WCMB organizer), Prof. Judith Gobin (UWI; IABO President), and Dr. Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\tThe venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n
The venue for the upcoming VII World Conference on Marine Biodiversity<\/a> (2026) to be held in Bruges, Belgium, was revealed during the closing ceremony of the VI WCMB by Leen Vandepitte (WoRMS<\/a> Data Manager) from Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ<\/em>).<\/h1>\n<\/p>\n
From left to right: Prof. Tan Shau Hwai (USM; VI WCMB organizer), Prof. Judith Gobin (UWI; IABO President), and Dr. Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
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