CBSI Annual Conference 2027
Interaction – Inclusion – Innovation
❮ NEW! Abstract submissions now open ❯
📅 13–15 January 2027
🌍 Yaoundé, Cameroon
Important Dates
Integrating science across the Congo Basin and learning from the experience in the Amazon
Call for Abstracts
We welcome submissions of abstracts for:
- Scientific research talks: Ten minute slots, grouped within our six themes.
- Scientific research posters: Posters on your scientific work, grouped within our six themes.
- Innovation and invention poster: Posters on a specific innovation or application of research, relevant to one of our six themes.
- Other Sessions: Session proposals or relevant to the Congo Basin Science Initiative Science and Capacity Plan.
Given time and space constraints we may not be able to include your ideas for other sessions in the programme, but we will consider all proposals.
Please read our abstract guidelines and apply via our online portal by 23 September 2026.
About the Conference
Join scientists from the Congo Basin and across the world to develop a new vision for science and scientific research in the Congo Basin. The Congo Basin Science Initiative Annual Conference brings together scientists, stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the latest research on the Congo Basin.
Our theme for CBSI 2027 is:
Integrating science across the Congo Basin and learning from the experience in the Amazon
CBSI 2027 is organised by CBSI, University of Yaoundé I, the Geological and Mining Research Institute and University of Dschang in Cameroon. The conference is open to all scientists, stakeholders and policymakers who support the goals of CBSI. These are:
- to advance sustainable development by delivering scientific evidence to policy makers and civil society;
- to gain an integrated understanding of the Congo Basin;
- to train a new generation of scientists from the region.
The first CBSI Annual Conference was attended by 250 people, 90% from the Congo Basin region. Together we developed inclusive plans to tackle the lack of data in the Congo Basin region, a critical step to improve understanding of the climate-water-forest-society system of the Congo Basin in a rapidly changing world.
The second conference will focus on:
- Learning from the Amazon basin, with keynote speakers and discussions on the similarities and differences between the two major tropical forest regions, and how we can develop science in the Congo Basin building on the successes in the Amazon;
- Providing a platform for scientists, in particular early career researchers, to present studies. These will be grouped within one of the six thematic observatories: Climate, Hydrology, Vegetation, Biodiversity, Land use, and Socio-ecology;
- Further developing plans to coordinate and collect distributed data across the Congo Basin region, in six thematic observatories;
- Coordinating with stakeholders, including policy makers, research-related organisations, and science and training initiatives.
The conference will include plenary sessions, short research talk sessions, two poster sessions, a welcome reception and other social activities. There will be substantial time for discussions, networking and interactions, as well as plenary discussions and information-sharing sessions.
The languages for the conference are French and English with simultaneous translation throughout.
Outline Agenda
Day 1: Understanding the Congo Basin and Learning from the Amazon
This day will focus on learning from the Amazon experience, with a keynote presentation on the differences and similarities between the Congo and Amazon basin forests given by leading experts on both regions. This will be followed by panel discussions on what the Congo Basin can learn practically from the Amazon about integrating science, and doing science more effectively, with Congo and Amazon basin specialists.
The day will close with a poster session and welcome reception.
Day 2: Latest Research on the Congo Basin
This day will focus on short research talks in parallel sessions under the six CBSI Observatory themes to enable us to keep abreast of the cutting edge of science in the region. These will be complemented by keynote presentations on the Congo Basin forests and their people, from leading experts.
The day will close with a second poster session.
Day 3: Influencing Policy
This day will have a focus on turning science into impact, with a keynote plenary presentation on alternative models of development for the Congo basin that keep the forest standing while the region develops sustainably, given by a leading expert. There will be panel discussions on what scientists need to turn scientific results into action, and what policy makers need from scientists to improve forest policies, to begin a dialogue to better use science.
The day will also have a poster session on specific innovations or applications of research within our six themes, e.g. an app, a new piece of equipment, a start up, or another applied solution related to sustainable development in the Congo Basin.
The full programme will be available once abstract submissions close.
Why should I attend?
- To showcase your research;
- To integrate your work with science across the Congo Basin;
- To learn about the latest research in the region and how it can inform policy;
- To participate in the co-design of major new research programmes, including data collection plans, across the Congo Basin;
- To network with other scientists across disciplines and make new connections;
- To take inspiration from research success stories on forest protection and conservation in the Amazon and Congo Basin;
- To connect with stakeholders to make our research have a positive impact;
- To learn about CBSI and get involved;
- To be part of the vibrant research culture of the Congo Basin region.
CBSI ❯ 2027
Practical Information
General
Registration for the CBSI Annual Conference is open to all scientists, stakeholders and policymakers who support the goals of CBSI.
Registration is free for all participants from Congo Basin countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of the Congo), members of CBSI affiliated projects, the CBSI Steering Committee and students from outside of the Congo Basin.
There is a registration fee of £200 (approx. 270 USD) for participants from outside of Congo Basin countries who are not members of a CBSI affiliated project or the CBSI Steering Committee. This fee covers the visa invitation letter, refreshments and lunches, and drinks reception.
We also welcome registrations for fee paying tickets from delegates whose organisation or affiliated project can meet the cost.
No profits will be made from the conference. Any remaining funds will be used to increase the size of the 2028 CBSI Annual Conference.
IMPORTANT: Accommodation and travel are not included when registering for the conference. Participants will have to cover their own travel and accommodation.
The cost of lunch, refreshments and a welcome reception are included in delegate registration on conference days (13-15 January 2027). Visa invitation letters will also be provided if required. Participants are responsible for organising and meeting the cost of visas, accommodation, subsistence, flights or other travel required to attend the conference. Accommodation and travel are not included for authors presenting a poster or scientific talk or delegates when registering for the conference.
The conference will be in French and English with simultaneous translation to allow the full participation of French and English speakers.
Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to live stream the conference or allow online participation.
No. You must register before the deadline of 30 October 2026. Your registration confirmation will be verified upon arrival, and entry will be refused if you are unable to provide valid proof of registration.
Yes. You do not need to submit an abstract to attend the event. Registration will be open to participants who wish to attend without giving a presentation.
Registration is on a first come first served basis. Please register via Oxford Abstracts when registration opens on 16 September 2026. You will be asked to sign in if you already have an account or sign up if you haven’t used Oxford Abstracts before. Your Oxford Abstracts account will also be used for abstract and poster submission and for accessing the conference programme.
Please note: Keep a record of your Oxford Abstracts login details and do not create more than one registration. Using your login credentials, you can review, update, and manage your registration at any time. If you need to make changes, please log in to your existing account rather than submitting a new registration.
Registration will be available throughout the event, with a registration desk open each day of the conference.
The CBSI Annual Conference is funded by the CBSI affiliate project, CRAFT-Sustainable Development. The CBSI-CRAFT project is making available six travel bursaries to support female doctoral students from the Congo Basin region to attend the conference. There is one bursary available per observatory (Hydrology, Vegetation, Climate, Land Use, Biodiversity, Socio-ecology).
The selection criteria are as follows:
- This scholarship aims to support the participation of female scientists in the conference and is therefore only available to women
- The candidate must be a female doctoral student from a Congo Basin country enrolled at a university in one of the Congo Basin countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo)
- The candidate must carefully read the requirements for abstract submission and submit an abstract for a research poster and/or a presentation by 23 September 2026
- The candidate must indicate in the relevant section of the abstract submission form that they wish to be considered for the scholarship and provide a statement of no more than 400 words, giving context on their current doctoral studies (project title, university and country, PhD start date and expected end date, their nationality) and explaining why they want to attend the first CBSI conference and how it will be of benefit to them in their personal career development.
The bursary will cover the following expenses:
- Return travel to Yaoundé
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation for the duration of the conference
- Meals for the duration of the conference
The organisers will take care of the reservations for the selected bursary recipients. More information will follow if you are selected.
In other cases, CBSI does not have additional travel scholarships to attend this conference.
Abstracts
Enter the abstract submission portal (Oxford Abstracts). If you registered or submitted an abstract for CBSI 2026, you should use the same Login (your email address) and Password. If you forgot your password, use the “Forgot your password?” link. If you are a new user, click on Sign up to Oxford Abstracts.
Visit the Oxford Abstracts help pages for more help creating an account.
Read our user guide for help using the abstract submission portal. Visit the Oxford Abstracts help pages for more help making a submission.
Authors are permitted to submit only one abstract for scientific research talks and/or scientific research posters as the presenting author. Additionally authors may submit one abstract for an innovation poster and/or one session proposal. There is no restriction on the number of co-authorships.
For scientific talks and posters, you must submit your title, abstract and keywords in your preferred language (French or English) and provide a translation into the other language (French or English). Use of machine translation is acceptable.
For other sessions, you must submit your title, short description and keywords in your preferred language (French or English) and provide a translation into the other language (French or English). Use of machine translation is acceptable. You can answer other questions in your preferred language only (French or English).
You can amend your submission before the deadline of 23 September 2026. To do this, visit the abstract submission portal and login with the email account that you used for your submission.
Select edit to amend the submission.
Incomplete sections of the form will have a red background. Ensure that you complete all sections marked in red.
Click Submit
You can complete an existing submission before the deadline of 23 September 2026. To do this, visit the abstract submission portal and login with the email account that you used for your submission.
Select edit to amend the submission.
Incomplete sections of the form will have a red background. Ensure that you complete all sections marked in red.
Click Submit
You will be informed about the outcome of your submission by early October.
No, conference registration is separate from submitting an abstract. If you have an accepted abstract, you must register before the closing date to guarantee your place. All other registrations are on a first-come first-served basis.
Have a different question?
CBSI ❯ 2027
Conference Planning Committee
Vanessa Ovono
Cherifa Chudap Mache
Cédric Adengoyo Beguide
Nasser Ngouh Abdou
Natura Mampuya
Dr Benjamin Kitambo
Professor Bonaventure Sonké
Dr Marijn Bauters
Professor Donald Midoko Iponga
Helen Plante
Marlene Lieske
Alexandra Griffiths
Dr Gode Bola
Pachris Kapanga
Dr Bernadette Nka Nnomo
Professor Lucie Temgoua
Dr Wilfried Pokam Mba
Professeur Michel Bisa Kibul
Professor Maximiliano Fero Meñe
Dr Jean-Jacques Braun
Professor Nicola (Nicky) Anthony
Professor Simon Lewis FRS
Professor Raphael Tshimanga
Highlights from CBSI 2026
Catch up on highlights from the First CBSI Annual Conference in the video below. You can also read a conference summary including a selection of photos.
CBSI ❯ 2027
Funder
CBSI ❯ 2027
Partners
CBSI ❯ 2027
