The aim of the 7th IBF Plenary meeting is to provide updates on the current and future activities of the IBF Working Groups and discuss future IBF workstreams. To ensure IBF continues playing an enabling role showcasing the crucial contribution of R&I for the international bioeconomy development, the 2026 plenary session will consider proposed new workstreams of interest to current and new IBF participants. Participants are encouraged to make suggestions and propose activities they would like to take forward within IBF.

The IBF is a member-driven organisation and open to new actors at any moment. The 7th Plenary meeting will happen back-to-back to the Global Bioeconomy Summit.

Participation:

Beyond IBF Members and Observers, this year’s Plenary meeting is open to interested GBS participants with a public mandate.

Expected Outcomes:

▪ Strategic discussion on IBF’s role in the global bioeconomy debate – today & tomorrow

▪ Update on IBF Working Groups’ current and future activities

▪ Launch of the International Bioeconomy Solutions Library

▪ Presentation of IBF’s activities at GBS2026

Format:

The IBF Plenary meeting will be organised as a hybrid meeting (in Dublin & on MS Teams).

The fifth Global Bioeconomy Summit (GBS 2026) will take place in Dublin, Ireland on 20 and 21 October 2026 at the Convention Centre Dublin, during Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Recognised as a leading global forum for bioeconomy policy, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, the Global Bioeconomy Summit brings together political leaders, policy makers, industry leaders, researchers, investors, and civil society globally to accelerate sustainable, bio-based innovation and solutions.

The summit series began in 2015 and has since become the flagship international gathering for the bioeconomy. Ireland was selected as the host nation for 2026 following the conclusion of GBS 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, reflecting the country’s growing leadership across bio-based innovation, bioeconomy related climate solutions, and circular bioeconomy demonstration initiatives.

More details about the 2026 Summit, are available on this website. Further details will also be announced in due course.