Between 15-19 June 2025, the 32nd International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB 2025) brought together over 1,200 participants from more than 90 countries in Brisbane/Meanjin, Australia. Organised by the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) Oceania Region, this event attracted conservation and social science researchers, students, policymakers, practitioners, non-governmental organisations, and Indigenous leaders. Throughout the week, the congress highlighted the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into environmental conservation, with a strong focus on culture, sustainability, and community-based approaches. Biocultural diversity, wildlife trade, and the protection of threatened ecosystems were also key topics of discussion.

The programme featured plenary talks, parallel sessions, interactive workshops, business meetings, and daily poster presentations, all designed to foster exchange and collaboration. Beyond the academic sessions, attendees enjoyed a range of social and cultural events, including a nature documentary screening, a science comedy night, and a closing reception held at the Queensland Museum Kurilpa.

At the conference SELINA was represented alongside the REST-COAST project by Pensoft Publishers, the project's Communication and Dissemination partner. SELINA’s presence at the congress provided an opportunity to share its goals, latest updates, and to introduce delegates to the project’s ongoing work supporting nature-based and evidence-informed solutions. 

A particular focus was placed on SELINA’s Communities of Practice - a digital platform that fosters collaborative learning and knowledge exchange between scientists, decision-makers, practitioners, and business representatives. This network plays a central role in enabling the integration of biodiversity, ecosystem condition, and ecosystem services information into real-world decision-making across Europe.

The congress concluded with the announcement that the next ICCB will be held in Mexico in 2027, jointly hosted by the North American (SCBNA) and Latin America and Caribbean (SCB-LACA) regions of the Society for Conservation Biology. 

By taking part in ICCB 2025 conference, SELINA continued to strengthen its role in the international conservation community, contributing to meaningful dialogue and action on biodiversity and sustainability challenges.