World Biodiversity Forum (WBF) 2026

The World Biodiversity Forum 2026 will take place from 14 to 19 June 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, under the theme “Leading Transformation Together.” The fourth edition of the forum will bring together researchers, policymakers, business leaders, civil society, artists, practitioners, and cross-generational stakeholders to address biodiversity loss and the wider planetary crises affecting environmental health, social justice, and sustainable development. Organized by the University of Zurich with support from an international scientific committee and partners, WBF2026 is designed as a global platform for building leadership, collaboration, and actionable solutions for biodiversity-positive transformation.

Purpose and Objectives

The primary purpose of World Biodiversity Forum 2026 is to support the development of actionable, knowledge-based solutions to bend the curve of biodiversity loss. The event aims to address the root causes of biodiversity decline by encouraging cross-sector collaboration, co-developing biodiversity-positive futures, and creating structures and practices that are just and equitable. A key objective of the forum is also to support the operationalization of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by strengthening leadership and networks beyond government-led processes.

Key Activities

WBF2026 will include oral and poster sessions, workshops, training sessions, networking meetings, events, excursions, keynote sessions, opening panel discussions, thematic tracks, and presentation-led programming. The official programme structure indicates that Sunday, 14 June will focus on workshops, training sessions, and networking meetings, while Monday, 15 June to Thursday, 18 June will include oral and poster sessions, workshops, and events. Friday, 19 June is planned for excursions in the surroundings of Davos, reinforcing the forum’s connection between biodiversity knowledge, place-based learning, and practical engagement.

Significance

World Biodiversity Forum 2026 is significant because it brings together science, arts, society, and business around one of the most urgent environmental challenges of the decade: halting and reversing biodiversity loss. Its focus on planetary health, social justice, intergenerational collaboration, and biodiversity-positive futures makes it relevant for researchers, policymakers, corporates, NGOs, investors, conservation practitioners, and sustainability leaders. The forum’s alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework gives it added importance as a platform for translating global biodiversity commitments into wider societal and institutional action.

Expected Outcomes

The event is expected to support stronger leadership, deeper cross-sector networks, and more practical collaboration around biodiversity transformation. Participants are likely to leave with clearer insight into biodiversity-positive pathways, stronger connections across science, policy, business, arts, and civil society, and a better understanding of how to support just and equitable implementation of global biodiversity goals. Based on the official positioning, WBF2026 is designed to move biodiversity conversations toward actionable solutions, shared leadership, and long-term transformation across sectors and generations.

Explore more ESG events and opportunities on our events page.