ATBC 2027 Heads to Gabon: The Congo Basin Takes Center Stage in Global Tropical Research

12.06.2026

For the first time in its history, the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) will hold its annual meeting in the Congo Basin. From June 20 to 26, 2027, Libreville, Gabon, will host the 63rd edition of this leading scientific conference, providing an exceptional platform to showcase Central Africa’s biodiversity, research excellence, and conservation initiatives.

The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) has announced that its 63rd Annual Meeting will take place in Libreville, Gabon, from June 20 to 26, 2027. This edition marks a historic milestone for the organization, as it will be the first time ATBC’s flagship global conference is held in the Congo Basin.

Held under the theme “Tropical Ecosystem Resilience at the Crossroads of a Changing Planet, Policy, and Conservation,” the conference will bring together researchers, forest managers, policymakers, students, and conservation practitioners from across the tropical world. Discussions will focus on the challenges and opportunities surrounding the preservation of tropical ecosystems in a context shaped by climate change, evolving policy frameworks, and sustainable development priorities.

The event will be hosted by the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research (CENAREST), the Congo Basin Institute (CBI), and the One Forest Vision (OFVi) initiative. It will provide a unique opportunity to highlight the scientific achievements, conservation efforts, and growing leadership emerging from Central Africa in the fields of research, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable natural resource management.

Participants will gather at the recently inaugurated Omar Bongo Ondimba Convention Center in Libreville. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and among the largest conference venues in Central Africa, the center is designed to host major international events and high-level gatherings.

Bringing ATBC 2027 to Gabon also represents international recognition of the Congo Basin’s critical role in global biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and sustainable development. The conference will offer increased visibility to research conducted in the region while fostering stronger scientific collaboration among Central Africa, the Amazon Basin, Southeast Asia, and other tropical regions.

The Local Organizing Committee will be chaired by Professor Alfred Ngomanda (CBSI/OFVi/CENAREST, Gabon), alongside co-chairs Dr. Adeline Fayolle (OFVi/CIRAD/CENAREST, Gabon), Professor Elsa Ordway (CBI/UCLA, Cameroon/USA), Professor Donald Iponga (IRET/CENAREST, Gabon), and Dr. Le Bienfaiteur Sagang (UCLA, Cameroon/USA).

Further details regarding the conference website, calls for scientific sessions, abstract submissions, funding opportunities, and participation modalities will be announced in the coming months.

ATBC 2027 is already shaping up to be a landmark event for the international tropical science community and an exceptional opportunity to showcase the forests of the Congo Basin and the efforts undertaken to ensure their conservation and sustainable management.