Day 1 at the 35th General Assembly of IUBS – IISc Bengaluru 
Pavan Sukhdev (Founder & CEO, GIST Impact, Switzerland) spoke on “Nature Impacts and Risks of the Private Sector”, highlighting the importance of integrating biodiversity into economic decision-making. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist of WHO, delivered an enlightening address on “One Planet, One Health: The Biological Foundations of a Sustainable Future.” Prof. Teatulohi Matainaho, President of the Pacific Academy of Sciences, shared valuable insights on the ecological well-being of Pacific Island nations. Prof. Vandana Prasad, former Director of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, presented a fascinating perspective on past extinction events and their relevance to biodiversity conservation in the future.IUBS-GA 2026 – Afternoon Session Highlights | Day 1
The afternoon sessions of the 35th General Assembly of IUBS at IISc Bengaluru offered enriching insights into urban ecology, biodiversity and sustainability. The sessions organized by the Bengaluru Sustainability Forum (BSF) featured eminent resource persons Karthikeyan and Ayushi, who shared their experiences and perspectives on understanding ecosystems beyond the classroom.
Karthikeyan highlighted the importance of observing urban biodiversity and understanding the interconnectedness of life around us. Through fascinating examples from nature and his decades of field experience, he emphasized how curiosity and appreciation for local ecosystems can nurture environmental stewardship.
Ayushi's session focused on ecological systems thinking and the relationship between water, biodiversity, urban development and community participation. The discussions demonstrated how conservation, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods are deeply linked and how educators can integrate these concepts into classroom practices.
The sessions were thought-provoking, practical and inspiring, reinforcing the need to connect education with real-world environmental challenges.
#IUBSGA2026 #IIScBengaluru #Biodiversity #Sustainability #UrbanEcology #TeacherLearning #EnvironmentalEducation #BSF #IUBSGeneralAssembly
