Korea to Develop Asian Biodiversity Data Hub... Hosts GBIF International Meeting

Experts from Over Ten Countries Participate
Expanding Cooperation on Biodiversity Data Sharing and Utilization

National Science Museum Hosts International Symposium to Share Research Achievements

As the importance of biodiversity data grows in response to climate change and ecosystem shifts, Korea is taking the initiative to establish itself as a hub for Asian biodiversity data collaboration. The country aims to strengthen the sharing framework for biodiversity data with major Asian countries, expand international cooperation, and broaden the foundation for research and policy applications.

The National Science Museum announced that it will host the "2026 Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Asia Node Meeting and Asia Regional International Symposium" for two days starting from July 8. The event, themed "Bio Resource Data Innovation: Opening the Future of Asian Biodiversity," will bring together more than 120 participants, including representatives from the GBIF Secretariat, node representatives from Asian countries, and officials from domestic data-providing institutions.

2026 GBIF Asia Regional International Symposium Poster. Provided by the National Museum of Korea

The Asia Node Meeting held on July 8 will see experts from more than ten countries, including Mongolia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, China, Taiwan, Nepal, and Vietnam, discuss ways to expand biodiversity data sharing and utilization, improve data quality, and strengthen inter-country cooperation networks.

At the international symposium on July 9, domestic data-providing institutions will receive training on data collection, publication, and utilization, and outstanding domestic and international research cases using GBIF will be introduced. The event will also feature research achievements from the National Science Museum and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, as well as a joint academic survey exhibition by the National Biodiversity Institution Alliance and research poster presentations.

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is an international cooperative body that collects and shares biodiversity data worldwide according to international standards. As the GBIF Korea Node (KBIF), the National Science Museum supports the collection, standardization, and international sharing of domestic biodiversity data.

Hwangsik Kim, Acting Director of the National Science Museum, said, "Systematically collecting and opening Asian biodiversity data is an essential task for future generations amid growing climate change and development pressures. Through this meeting, Korea will leap forward as the core hub for Asian biodiversity data cooperation and contribute to addressing the global environmental crisis."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.