Preparations are underway for the 3rd CETAF Directors’ Summit, which will take place in Edinburgh on 1–2 December 2026 under the theme “From Species to Decisions: The Strategic Role of Integrative Taxonomy.”
Hosted by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and National Museums Scotland (NMS), the meeting will bring together directors and representatives of CETAF institutions to reflect on the strategic role of integrative taxonomy in responding to the growing scientific, policy and societal demands surrounding biodiversity.
When: 1–2 December 2026
Where: Edinburgh, UK
From species knowledge to policy decisions
As the biodiversity crisis accelerates and the demand for reliable and actionable knowledge increases, taxonomy is becoming an increasingly important component of evidence-based decision-making. At the same time, technological advances, new sources of biodiversity data and evolving policy requirements are transforming the way species information is generated, integrated and used.
Against this backdrop, the 3rd Directors’ Summit will explore how CETAF institutions can strengthen integrative taxonomy as a strategic asset at the science–policy interface. By bringing together traditional taxonomic expertise with molecular approaches, digital collections, automated observations and citizen-generated data, integrative taxonomy can provide robust and traceable knowledge to support biodiversity monitoring, policy implementation and informed decision-making.
The discussions will consider how CETAF’s expertise and collections-based knowledge can contribute to the implementation and monitoring of major European and global biodiversity frameworks, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Nature Restoration Regulation and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Strengthening CETAF’s strategic role
The Summit will also provide an opportunity to reflect on how CETAF members can translate their scientific capacity into operational recommendations and public services, identify critical knowledge and capacity gaps, and strengthen collaboration between research institutions, policymakers, industry and civil society.
Aligned with the CETAF Strategy 2025–2030, the meeting will reinforce the role of integrative taxonomy not only as a research priority, but as an essential policy-enabling tool, while highlighting the strategic value of natural science collections and the institutions that safeguard and study them.
The programme will also feature a workshop organised with KPMG, providing an additional space for CETAF directors to exchange perspectives and address strategic issues relevant to the network and its institutions.
CETAF60 General Assembly
The meeting will also include the 60th CETAF General Assembly, providing members with an opportunity to address key organisational matters and continue shaping the priorities and future direction of the CETAF community.
Further information and the detailed programme will be made available in the coming months.