Archives: Meetings

Meeting Description

21st European Weed Research Society Symposium (EWRS 2027)

System-Based Solutions to Sustainable Weed Management

Fifty years have passed since the EWRS Symposium was last held in Uppsala in 1977. As we celebrate this, we reflect on five decades of collaborative weed science while looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities that lie before us.

The theme of this symposium, “System-Based Solutions to Sustainable Weed Management”, reflects this integrated vision. It highlights the fusion of ecological knowledge and modern technology in developing weed management practices that are environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially responsible. This systems-based approach draws on deep understanding of weed biology and ecology, and is supported by innovations across all sectors, from precision technologies to novel management strategies.

The symposium will bring together researchers, industry partners, practitioners, and policymakers from across Europe and beyond to share the latest scientific advances and explore collaborative pathways towards sustainable weed management. Together, we will examine how integrated approaches can support farmers in managing the ecological complexity of their fields.

More information: https://www.ewrs2027.org

XXVIII International Congress of Entomology (ICE 2028)

The theme of ICE 2028 is: “Entomology for a better future”

ICE 2028 in Cape Town offers an opportunity for Africa and the rest of the Global South to join in the journey to this better future, while still offering a world class conference venue and city for international delegates.

7th International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods (ISBCA)

The 7th International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods (ISBCA) will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, October 26-30, 2026. CAB International (CABI) and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) will co-host the ISBCA event at the KALRO conference facility, located at their headquarters at Loresho, Kaptagat Road, Nairobi.

The goal of ISBCA is to create a forum where biological control researchers and practitioners can meet to exchange information and discuss up-to-date issues relating to biological control. This includes the various approaches to biological control, e.g. conservation, augmentation, and importation of natural enemy species for the control of arthropod targets. It also encompasses various transversal issues, including the uptake of biological control and socio-economic impacts. Scientific outputs from post graduate students and post docs are particularly welcome.

An important goal of these meetings is to be truly international, with good participation from all parts of the world. After previously being held in North and South America, Europe, Australasia, and Asia it is now a great opportunity to be able to host for the first time the symposium in continental Africa and to be able to link in several colleagues from this region who have previously not had the opportunity to participate. As such, it is an excellent opportunity to create and expand networks.

Meeting of the IOBC-WPRS WG “Integrated Protection in Field Vegetable Crops”

We are pleased to announce the upcoming meeting of the Working Group on “Integrated Protection in Field Vegetable Crops”, scheduled for October 19th – 21st, 2026, in Vienna, Austria. The meeting will take place at the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES, Spargelfeldstraße 191, 1220 Vienna).

This meeting will provide a good opportunity to present and discuss recent findings of integrated protection in field vegetables to improve and ensure the integrated and organic production of vegetables. The focus of this Working Group is on entomology however to improve the system, a holistic approach is necessary and therefore topics such as abiotic and biotic plant stress management, agroecology, phytopathology, soil biology are welcome as well as methods covering aspects of digitalization, monitoring and chemical ecology. The meeting will be complemented with a visit of production sites and a field excursion to learn more about regional challenges in the production of vegetables.

Contributions from other IOBC-WPRS Working and Study Groups like the SG “IPM in Arable Cropping Systems” as well as contributions from the European Vegetable Research Institutes Network EUVRIN are welcome.

22nd European Carabidologists’ Meeting

The 22nd European Carabidologists Meeting is moving north to the vibrant city of Tartu, Estonia. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Connecting Scales: Carabid Responses from Genes to Landscapes”, covering a wide range of topics. The three-day meeting will take place at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, where we will share knowledge and diverse perspectives on carabids, from the gene level to the landscape scale. 

The meeting will include scientific talks and poster sessions, as well as lively discussions over coffee. A special dinner and a field trip are planned, giving participants the chance to enjoy both the nature around the Tartu area and the local cuisine.

Conference website: https://www.emu.ee/en/22ecm

IOBC-WPRS WG “Modern Biotechnology in Integrated Plant Production” & EU Project REACT

Innovative Pest Control: Shaping the Future of Sustainable Agriculture

The 10th Meeting of the IOBC-WPRS Working Group “Modern Biotechnology in Integrated Plant Production” will take place in collaboration with the EU project REACT.

Invasive pests increasingly threaten agriculture and horticulture, challenging growers and authorities to protect crops with methods that remain effective, affordable, and environmentally responsible. As some established tools lose efficacy and expectations for sustainability rise, strengthening Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with evidence-based innovation is becoming essential.

This IOBC-WPRS meeting, organized in collaboration with the EU project REACT, will bring together research, practice, and policy to discuss how genetic and biotechnological approaches can complement multi-tactic IPM. Topics include tools such as sterile insect techniques (SIT), RNA-interference, gene transfer, and new breeding techniques; improved surveillance and diagnostics for invasive pests; and the practical requirements for implementation at scale.

A dedicated emphasis will be placed on regulatory and policy frameworks for genetic pest control, including risk assessment, monitoring, governance, and cross-border considerations, to support responsible evaluation and potential deployment.

  • Integrated Pest Management using multiple complementary tactics (monitoring, prevention, biocontrol, targeted interventions)
  • Genetic pest control options and genetically modified plants, including SIT, gene drives, RNAi, gene transfer, and new breeding techniques
  • Early detection and diagnostics for invasive pests (surveillance, identification, decision support)
  • Enabling technologies for implementation (insect production, automation, handling, release/logistics)
  • Environmental, socio-economic, and adoption considerations (benefits, trade-offs, stakeholder needs)
  • Regulatory and policy frameworks for genetic pest control (risk assessment, monitoring, governance, cross-border issues)

For more information, please visit the meeting website: https://iobc-wprs.react-insect.eu

Biopesticides Europe 2026

Biopesticides Europe 2026 brings together the full biological crop protection value chain to focus on turning regulatory change, climate pressure and market demand into real, scalable opportunities for biologicals. Across two days on the 10th & 11th June in Amsterdam, the conference examines how evolving EU rules, the withdrawal of key chemical actives and growing sustainability expectations are reshaping R&D priorities, product portfolios and commercial strategies for both traditional agrochemical players and specialist biologicals companies. Delegates will hear practical case studies on building robust, field-ready biopesticide products, navigating complex regulatory pathways, and driving confident adoption at farm level through better performance, positioning and stewardship.

The programme blends strategic market insight with technical depth, addressing issues such as microbial stability, formulation and fermentation advances, data and field trial requirements, and how to position biologicals as reliable tools alongside (or instead of) conventional chemistry. Sessions will also explore logistics, storage and distribution constraints, commercial models with distributors and retailers, and the realities of integrating biologicals into crop protection programmes in different European markets.

Conference Website: https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/biopesticides-europe
Conference Agenda: https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/cpee8-mkt-agenda

For More Info & Registration:
Name: Rohan Baryah – Marketing & Delegate Sales
Phone: + 48 (0)61 646 7022
Email: rbaryah@acieu.net

3rd International Molecular Plant Protection Congress (IMPPC2026)

Molecular plant protection has entered a decisive era in which biology, regulation, technology, and entrepreneurship no longer advance in parallel, but converge into a single transformative force. Over the past two decades, advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, gene editing, RNA interference, peptide science, microbial and symbiont engineering have fundamentally reshaped entomology, plant pathology, and weed science. These tools no longer merely describe biological systems; they actively direct molecular outcomes in agriculture. Sustainability, once an aspiration, is now emerging as a measurable and testable biological architecture.

Within this global transformation, the International Molecular Plant Protection Congress (IMPPC) series has evolved into one of the world’s most influential platforms shaping the molecular future of plant protection.

IMPPC2019 (Adana) marked the first global declaration of molecular plant protection as a standalone scientific discipline, bringing together 42 keynote speakers and pioneering discussions.

IMPPC2023 (Bursa) expanded this vision with 87 keynote speakers and 41 companies and was defined by the Opening Lecture of Prof. Craig C. Mello, whose discovery of RNA interference directly connected fundamental biology to modern RNAi-based agricultural technologies.

Building on this accelerating legacy, IMPPC2026 will take place on May 17–21, 2026, at the Kremlin Palace Hotel, Antalya, co-organized by Ankara University and leading institutions of the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, including the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, the General Directorate of Food and Control, and the Department of Training and Publication.

IMPPC2026 will convene more than one hundred keynote and invited speakers, senior regulators, policy-makers, and industry leaders, forming one of the most comprehensive global gatherings ever assembled in molecular plant protection.

VIII International Symposium on Postharvest Pathology

The symposium “Plant to Plate – Integrated and innovative approaches for managing postharvest disease across the supply chain” will put focus on the holistic nature of postharvest pathology with strong relationships between growing of the crop, storage technology, and the influence of both pre- and post-harvest factors on the pathogen. 

PPATH2026, Plant Pathology 2026

The meeting will bring together researchers from across academia and industry to explore the latest advances in plant pathology, with a special focus on seed-breeding innovation and its intersection with fundamental science.

The event will include invited speakers, focus sessions, posters, and networking opportunities, including the conference dinner on Wednesday evening.

Commission “Young IOBC-WPRS”, PhD Symposium 2026: “Biological Control of Arthropod Pests and Plant Diseases”

This second edition of the PhD Symposium on “Biological Control of arthropod pests and plant diseases” of the IOBC-WPRS Commission “Young IOBC-WPRS” is an opportunity for PhD candidates currently doing their PhD in the field of biological control to share their research and discuss it with their peers, benefiting from the advice and feedback of experienced researchers. This gathering provides a platform for PhD candidates to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other’s experiences.

The meeting will take place at the facilities of ICIA in the Botanical Garden of La Orotava (Puerto de la Cruz). Activities include oral presentations by the PhD candidates, plenary talks by invited researchers, a talk and guided tour of the gardens by the organizing team, workshops, a cultural tour and a social dinner.

We are pleased to announce the names of the 2 guest researchers who will participate in this event and give a plenary talk:

  • Marcel Dicke, Professor of Entomology, Wageningen University (the Netherlands)
  • Marc Bardin, Research Director in Phytopathology, INRAE Avignon (France)

       

The PhD students interested in joining this symposium should fill out the following application form: https://forms.office.com/r/1hdNwXDkNg

Deadline to submit applications: 10th April 2026.

We will select a maximum of 20 PhD students and communicate the result of the selection process no later than 17th April 2026.

Registration fee, to be paid later by the selected candidates:

  • IOBC Members: 150 €
  • Non-IOBC Members: 240 €
  • Non-IOBC Members residing in Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Türkiye and Yemen: 200 €

The registration fee includes 3 lunches, 5 coffee breaks, 1 dinner, 1 cultural visit and, for the Non-IOBC Members, their registration as members of IOBC-WPRS for one year.

Local organizing team: Angelos Mouratidis, Estrella Hernández Suárez, María Quintana González de Chaves, Jorge Alfredo Reyes-Betancort, Anabel Millán Leiva (Cucare Diagnostics)

Convenor and Liaison officer of the Young IOBC-WPRS Commission: Sophie Le Hesran and Bruno Gobin

Download: Invitation letter (pdf)

Plant Health 2026

The meeting theme, “Unleash the Potential of Diversity”, recognizes the critical importance of diverse perspectives in research, crops, environments, and people as the foundation for resili​ent, sustainable solutions.​

Don’t miss the groundbreaking research presentations, hands-on workshops, and collaborative discussions designed to elevate global plant health through shared knowledge and inclusive engagement. Beyond the cutting-edge science, you’ll find dynamic networking opportunities and a welcoming community.​

​Mark your calendar and plan to contribute to a more innovative and globally connected plant health community!​

IOBC-WPRS WG “Integrated Control in Oilseed Crops (ICOC)”

The 20th Meeting of the IOBC-WPRS Working Group on “Integrated Control in Oilseed Crops (ICOC)” will bring together the latest advances in:
  • Biological and integrated control of oilseed crops from research and development to commercialisation and practical implementation
  • Development of sustainable oilseed crop production systems to minimize pesticide use while maintaining yields
  • Genetic and biotechnical approaches to pest and pathogen control in oilseed crops
  • New methods and strategies in research and development on integrated control of insect pests and pathogens in oilseed crops
Meeting website: https://www.slu.se/ICOC20

BREBCA 2026, Benefits and Risks of Exotic Biological Control Agents

The 6th meeting of the IOBC-WPRS Working Group “Benefits and Risks of Exotic Biological Control Agents” will bring together scientists, practitioners, and policymakers to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and advance the safe and effective use of exotic biological control agents (BCAs).

The BREBCA 2026 meeting will address key topics including:

  • Assessing benefits and risks of exotic BCAs through ecological, socio-economic, and policy frameworks
  • Rapid deployment of exotic BCAs against emerging pests, pathogens, and invasive plants
  • Ecological interactions between exotic agents, native species, and ecosystems
  • Innovative tools for safety testing, host specificity, and climate-smart agent selection
  • Exotic BCA ecology under global change, including climate and land-use effects
  • Governance and regulation, with focus on international coordination and policy harmonization
  • Ethical and societal perspectives, including stakeholder engagement and communication
  • Long-term monitoring and adaptive management for sustained ecological outcomes
  • Integration with IPM, exploring synergies between exotic agents and other pest management strategies

Contributions fitting in with the topics above are most welcome. Although BREBCA is Europe-based, participation is global, reflecting the central role of biological control in sustainable pest, pathogen and weed management.

Please save the date!

Additional details regarding applications, registration, and travel arrangements will be provided in a second circular in early 2026.

Meeting website: https://sites.google.com/fmach.it/brebca-2026

Download:

XIII European Congress of Entomology (ECE 2026)

Following the long and successful tradition of previous ECE meetings – from the inaugural congress in Reading in 1978 to the vibrant gathering in Heraklion in 2023 – ECE 2026 continues to bring together the international entomological community to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and inspire future research.

Today, as the world faces profound ecological and sociological challenges, the role of insects has never been more vital – or more fascinating. Insects and their associated micro-organisms are recognized as key allies in addressing a wide range of interconnected societal issues. They provide essential ecosystem services – such as pollination, pest regulation, nutrient cycling, and soil enhancement – and increasingly contribute to sustainable food production, organic waste recycling, and the development of bio-based innovations. At the same time, they remind us of the delicate balance between benefits and risks: while some insects act as pests, vectors of disease, or invasive species, others offer powerful, nature-based solutions to foster ecosystem resilience, improve human, animal or plant health, and support the transition toward a more sustainable future.

ECE 2026 is the ideal forum for exploring this duality and the infinite diversity of insect species, evolutionary strategies, and insect-human interactions. With a rich program of plenary and keynote lectures, symposia, and poster sessions, our goal is to stimulate interdisciplinary dialogue – from fundamental science to applied innovation, from the molecular scale to global policy, and from biodiversity conservation to sustainable development.

Website: https://www.ece2026.org

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