Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
The Center for Biodiversity Research and Extension in Mindanao (CEBREM) successfully led the International Conference on Biodiversity and Sustainability, held on November 13–14, 2025, at the Farmers Training Center, Central Mindanao University. The event also marked CEBREM’s 14th anniversary, adding significance to this international gathering.
Anchored on the theme “Biodiversity in Harmony with Nature: Key to Sustainable Development,” the conference underscored the imperative of aligning stakeholders, knowledge, and technologies to advance sustainability. It highlighted the continuous commitment of communities and institutions working to protect biodiversity through research, innovation, and collaboration.
The conference’s central message was delivered by keynote speaker Dr. Dindo M. Campilan, Asia Regional Director and Oceania Hub Director of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
In his talk, “High-Intensity Biodiversity Conservation for a Nature-Positive World,” Dr. Campilan emphasized that climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply intertwined and must be addressed together. He noted that efforts focused solely on achieving net-zero carbon emissions fall short, asserting that solutions must be “net zero and nature-positive.”
Dr. Campilan also tackled the complex trade-offs in environmental management, citing cases where renewable energy development inadvertently caused biodiversity decline. He highlighted the importance of integrating technology responsibly and building viable business models to secure sustainable conservation funding. In preparing for the future, he stressed the need to “train the next generation of professionals for nature,” recommending the incorporation of conservation and biodiversity education into academic curricula.
The conference showcased the expanding landscape of biodiversity research through four major subthemes:
- Generating knowledge on biodiversity;
- Harmonizing biodiversity utilization and technologies;
- Integrating science and culture; and
- Balancing development with nature protection
These subthemes framed seven plenary sessions featuring diverse fields such as biogeography, entomology, public health, and genomics. Among the highlighted presentations were:
- “The Biogeography and Diversity of C4 Grassy Biomes Across Southeast Asia” – Dr. Kyle W. Tomlinson
- “Overview of Microsporidia: Pathogens of Major Agricultural and Forest Insect Pests” – Dr. Yuri Tokarev
- “A DNA Barcode Reference of Asian Ferns with Expert-Identified Voucher Specimens and DNA Samples” – Dr. Li-Yaung Kuo
- “Implementing One Health Across Borders, Campuses, and Communities: Lessons from Indonesia” – Dr. Rian Hari Suharto
- “Public Health Concern: Multiple Pathogenic Agents Detected in Rats Inhabiting Slum Regions in Indonesia” – Dr. April Hari Wardhana
Beyond the plenary talks, the conference featured oral and poster presentations, technical discussions, and breakout sessions, including meetings of the Technical Working Group for Cycas Conservation and the Young Minds Biodiversity Report. For the second year, it also hosted the Clare R. Baltazar Memorial Symposium in collaboration with the Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines (ASBP).
The conference is co-organized with the Center for Natural Products Research, Development, and Extension, the Center for Geomatics Research and Development in Mindanao, VBA Biodiversity Society, Inc., and Hasanuddin University, Indonesia. [Johnica Chantal G. Montero]
#SDG4, #QualityEducation, #SDG17, #PartnershipsForTheGoals, #SDG14, #LifeBelowWater, #SDG15, #LifeOnLand, #SDG11, #SustainableCitiesandCommunities, #SDG13, #ClimateAction, #SDG6, #CleanWaterandSanitation #SDG7, #AffordableandCleanEnergy
