A busy autumn lies ahead for the CETAF community, with events covering biodiversity data standards, FAIR knowledge, scientific publishing, international policy and the future of integrative taxonomy. Together, these meetings offer opportunities to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaborations and showcase the contribution of taxonomy and natural science collections to biodiversity research and decision-making.
The season begins in Oslo with the Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG) 2026 Annual Conference, taking place on 21–25 September. Under the theme of research- and robot-ready biodiversity data standards, the conference will bring together the global biodiversity informatics community to develop and refine the standards that enable scientific data to be shared and reused. Immediately afterwards, from 26 to 28 September, CETAF’s e-Publishing Working Group will organise The Libroscope in Action: Turning Biodiversity Literature into FAIR Knowledge. This three-day hands-on course will explore how knowledge contained in biodiversity literature can be transformed into structured, accessible and reusable data. Registration for the course is now closed.
Autumn will also mark the beginning of two new collaborative efforts within the CETAF community. The THRIVE project will hold its kick-off meeting at the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin on 29–30 September, bringing its European partners together to launch their joint work. This will be followed by the TETTRIX kick-off meeting at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels from 7 to 9 October.
On 8 October, the European Journal of Taxonomy will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a special symposium at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid. Since its creation, EJT has become an important platform for high-quality, open-access taxonomic research. CETAF, which was closely involved in the journal’s foundation, is pleased to share this milestone with its community. Registration remains open.
October will also place biodiversity firmly on the international policy agenda. The 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference, CBD COP17, will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October. As Parties undertake the first global review of progress under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the conference will be a key moment for assessing implementation and identifying the scientific knowledge, infrastructures and resources still needed to meet the 2030 targets.
In November, the Young Systematists’ Forum will return online for its 28th edition. This well-established event offers postgraduate students and early postdoctoral researchers a supportive international setting in which to present their research, exchange ideas and connect with fellow systematists. Established researchers and supervisors are also encouraged to attend.
The season will conclude in Edinburgh on 1–2 December with the 3rd CETAF Directors’ Summit and CETAF60. Hosted by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and National Museums Scotland, the Summit will explore the theme From Species to Decisions: The Strategic Role of Integrative Taxonomy. It will provide CETAF directors and representatives with an opportunity to consider how institutions can respond collectively to growing scientific, policy and societal demands for reliable biodiversity knowledge.