About

WCMB 2026

The 7th edition of the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity will be organized in Bruges between November 17th and 20th 2026. Find out more about the venue here.

The WCMB 2026 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 “The marine biodiversity insights we need, for the ocean we want”. 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.

The conference logo and campaign image were designed by seamoose.

Practical information on the conference time line will follow later this year.

 

History of the WCMB

The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity series (WCMB) is conducted tri-annually. The WCMB is a high-level international meeting that focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. The conference provides a platform for policymakers, scientists, conservationists, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss current and emerging marine biodiversity issues and identify ways to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems and their resources.

Previous editions were held in:

  1. Valencia, Spain (2008) - Outcome: Valencia Declaration - A Plea for the Protection of Marine Biodiversity

  2. Aberdeen, Scotland (2011) - "Our Oceans, Our Future"

  3. Qingdao, China (2014) - "Life in the Changing Ocean"

  4. Montreal, Canada (2018) - "Connecting with the Living Ocean"

  5. Auckland, New Zealand (2020) - "Understanding the current scale and importance of biodiversity in the marine environment"

  6. Penang, Malaysia (2023) - "Marine Biodiversity Challenges in the Anthropocene"

 

Organizer

WCMB 2026 is being organized by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). VLIZ is a prominent research organization based in Ostend, Belgium, dedicated to the study and sustainable management of the marine environment. It serves as a hub for marine science, offering support to research initiatives, data management, and international collaboration. VLIZ focuses on multidisciplinary research, covering areas such as marine biodiversity, oceanography, and climate change, while also engaging with policy-makers and the public to promote marine conservation and awareness. Through its extensive networks and resources, VLIZ plays a crucial role in advancing marine science both regionally and globally.

 

Have a look at the promotional video for the WCMB 2026 below!