Activities

BioSummit 2026

Official Agenda

Three days of keynote sessions, panels, workshops, roundtables and strategic encounters connecting science, government, business and academia around Biodiversity 2.0.

November 4, 5 & 6, 2026 � CCMQ Bicentenario � Quito

13 Keynote Sessions

32 Panels

13 Workshops

3 Roundtables

4 Days of Experience

DAY 1 � Wednesday, November 4

The Architecture of Life

Diagnosis � the state of biodiversity, water and climate in the face of El Ni�o

PLENARY � Hall A + B

07:30

Registration & Accreditation

Welcome coffee at the BioConnection Expo.

08:48

Arrival of Authorities � National Anthem

08:53

Welcome Address

Marcelo Salame � President of BioSummit

08:58

Institutional Remarks

Nataly Morillo � Minister of Government

09:03

Official Opening of BioSummit 2026

Mishel Mancheno � President of the National Assembly

09:10

Official Summit Photo

09:32

KEYNOTE I

Biodiversity 2.0: A New Paradigm for Survival

Marcelo Salame (Ecuador)

09:59

KEYNOTE II

Biodiversity as a Macroeconomic Strategy for Regeneration

Tarsicio Granizo (Ecuador) � WWF

10:28

Coffee Break � BioConnection Expo

11:11

KEYNOTE III

Science, Monitoring and Governance in the Face of El Ni�o

Felipe Costa Do Carmo (Brazil) � CIIFEN

11:52

KEYNOTE

El Ni�o Begins in Our Ocean: Ocean Dynamics, Risk and Early Warning

Pilar Cornejo, PhD (Ecuador) � ESPOL

12:33

SPECIAL KEYNOTE

Multisector Strategies in the Face of El Ni�o: Adaptation, Water and Production

Mauricio Vel�squez � CAF

13:00

Lunch � BioConnection Expo

14:05

PANEL 4

Water as Living Infrastructure: Rivers and Watersheds in the Face of El Ni�o

Panelists: Andrea Encalada (USFQ) � Pablo Cornejo (INAMHI) � Martha Cruz (Colombia) � Blanca R�os-Touma (USFQ)

Moderator: Carmen Josse (EcoCiencia)

14:50

Transition to Hall A and Hall B

PARALLEL SESSIONS

14:55�15:40

HALL A PANEL 5

El Ni�o and the Cascade of Risks

Panelists: Pilar Cornejo (ESPOL) � Bol�var Erazo � Felipe Costa Do Carmo (CIIFEN) � Andrea Encalada (USFQ)

Moderator: Gabriel La Torre

HALL B PANEL 6

El Ni�o and Species Response: Trophic Behavior, Survival and Adaptability

Panelists: Patricia Castillo � Michelle Vela � Armando Castellanos (Fundaci�n Oso Andino) � Erika Latorre

Moderator: Ryan Lynch

15:45�16:30

HALL A PANEL 7

Wildfires and Landscape Resilience: Prevention, Response and Recovery

Panelists: Carmen Josse (EcoCiencia) � Luc�a Luje Asimbaya (MAAE) � Celso Yaguana (ESPOL) � Pablo Cornejo (INAMHI)

Moderator: Estefan�a Arias

HALL B PANEL 29

Cetaceans of Ecuador: Whales, Marine Dolphins and the Amazon River Dolphin

Panelists: Michelle Vela � Alexander Hearn (USFQ) � cetacean specialist (USFQ) � cetacean specialist (Charles Darwin Foundation)

Moderator: Paolo Piedrahita (ESPOL)

16:30

Coffee Break � BioConnection Expo

17:00�17:45

HALL A PANEL 1

Ecosystem Collapse: The Real Diagnosis

Panelists: Martha Cruz � Tarsicio Granizo (WWF) � MAAE � MAAE

Moderator: Carmen Josse

HALL B PANEL 2

Pollinators and Invertebrates: The Small Species Supporting Production and Life

Panelists: Trent Blare (CIP) � Estefan�a Arias � Lizbeth Espinoza (ESPOL) � Juli�n P�rez (ESPOL)

Moderator: Gabriel La Torre

17:50�18:35

HALL A PANEL 8

Gal�pagos, Marine Biodiversity and Marine Protected Areas

Panelists: Paolo Piedrahita (ESPOL) � Alexander Hearn (USFQ) � Mar�a Jos� Barrag�n (Charles Darwin Foundation) � Michelle Vela

Moderator: Patricia Castillo

HALL B PANEL 9

Threatened Species, Ecological Imbalance and Wildlife Trafficking

Panelists: Armando Castellanos � Luc�a Luje Asimbaya (MAAE) � Erika Latorre � Robert Finck

Moderator: Emilia Hern�ndez

19:00

WELCOME COCKTAIL Hall A + B and terrace

WORKSHOPS & ROUNDTABLE � Rooms 1 to 4

10:30�12:30

ROOM 1

Biodiversity Measurement and Baselines: From Field Data to a Verifiable Index

Facilitators: Mar�a de Lourdes Torres (USFQ) � Juli�n P�rez (ESPOL) � Diana Rauchwerger (PLACIS)

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

10:30�12:30

ROOM 2

The New Carbon Market (MVC) and COA Reform: Rules for Operating

Facilitators: Alex Saer (CERCARBONO) � Jorge Moncayo (MAAE) � Francisco Cuesta (USFQ)

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

10:30�12:30

ROOM 4

Early Warning and Risk Management in the Face of El Ni�o

Facilitators: Andrea Encalada (USFQ) � Bol�var Erazo � Patricia Castillo

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

11:00�12:00

ROOM 3

Kia � Mobility and Corporate Carbon Footprint

Presented by: Jos� Ruiz Err�zuriz (Kia Ecuador)

Sponsor Session � 1 h

13:05�13:55

ROOM 3

EMAPAG EP � Urban Water in the Face of El Ni�o: Lessons for Ecuadorian Cities

Presented by: Isabel Tamariz � Chair of the Board, EMAPAG EP

Sponsor Session � 50 min

14:30�16:30

ROOM 2

Ecological Restoration and Baselines for Credits

Facilitators: Maria Gallardo (FSC) � Gabriela Pozo (USFQ) � Mar�a Jos� Andrade (Fundaci�n P�ramo)

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

16:45�18:15

ROOM 4

ROUNDTABLE � Severe El Ni�o: Who Pays the Price and Who Is Preparing?

Participants: Marcelo Salame (BioSummit) � Rodrigo G�mez de la Torre (Comit� Empresarial Ecuatoriano) � Isabel Tamariz (EMAPAG EP) � Pilar Cornejo (ESPOL) � Felipe Costa Do Carmo (CIIFEN) � Pablo Zambrano

Moderator: Juan Rivadeneira Firscht

Roundtable � 1.5 h

DAY 2 � Thursday, November 5

Integrity & Instruments

Solutions � innovation � technology and finance for nature

PLENARY � Hall A + B � Morning

07:30

Registration & Accreditation

Welcome coffee at the BioConnection Expo.

09:00

Opening of Day 2

09:11

KEYNOTE IV

Ecuador's First Biodiversity Unit Project

Marcelo Salame (Ecuador)

09:40

INSTITUTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Prosperina Project: ESPOL and the Prosperina Protected Forest

ESPOL

09:52

KEYNOTE V

Carbon and Biodiversity Standards: The Price of Integrity

Alex Saer (Colombia) � CERCARBONO

10:18

KEYNOTE VI

Architecture of Biodiversity Units: From Baseline to Verifiable Asset

Diana Rauchwerger (Colombia) � PLACIS

10:45

Grand Coffee Station � BioConnection Expo

PARALLEL SESSIONS

11:20�12:05

HALL A PANEL 10

Integrity and Greenwashing in Carbon and Biodiversity Projects: How to Detect It and How to Prevent It

Panelists: Germ�n Garc�a (Versa) � Fernando Vela (MAAE) � Drea Burbank (Savimbo) � Jos� Z�rate (Stamping.io)

Moderator: Yalil� Loaiza

HALL B PANEL 11

Artificial Intelligence and Biodiversity

Panelists: Miguel Castro (Google) � Roger Sep�lveda (Genoma) � Jaleh Daie (Aurora Equity) � one panelist (TBA)

Moderator: Ryan Lynch

12:10�12:55

HALL A PANEL 12

Nature-Based Solutions and Biodiversity 2.0: From Living Infrastructure to Asset

Panelists: Gabriel Quijandr�a (IUCN) � Tuntiak Katan (IKIAM) � Adri�n M�rquez (ESPOL � CENAIM) � Jerry Toth

Moderator: Esteban Guevara

HALL B PANEL 13

EUDR: New European Union Export Rules for Deforestation-Free Products

Panelists: Jos� Antonio Hidalgo (AEBE) � Leonardo Viteri � Claudio Lutzky � Mar�a �ngeles Huerta (Spain)

Moderator: Gabriel La Torre

12:55

Lunch � BioConnection Expo

14:00�14:45

HALL A PANEL 3

Energy Transition and Mobility: Renewables, Green Hydrogen and Electromobility � presented by Kia

Panelists: Jos� Ruiz Err�zuriz (Kia Ecuador) � Claudio Huepe (Chile) � Andrea Arrobo � Mauro Intriago

Moderator: Pablo Zambrano

HALL B TALKS

14:00 Genoma: Genetics at the Service of Biodiversity

Roger Sep�lveda (Genoma)

14:23 After COP17: What the Global Biodiversity Framework Requires from South America

Gabriel Quijandr�a (IUCN)

14:50�15:35

HALL A PANEL 14

Circular Bioeconomy and New Materials

Panelists: Paula S�nchez (MAAE) � Mar�a In�s Rivadeneira � Elizabeth Coronado (MAAE) � Jaleh Daie (Aurora Equity)

Moderator: Alexis Vela Arias (MAAE)

HALL B PANEL 15

Forests, Territory and Ecosystem Restoration at Scale

Panelists: Patrick Van Damme (Belgium) � Maria Gallardo (FSC) � Tuntiak Katan (IKIAM) � Mar�a Jos� Andrade (Fundaci�n P�ramo)

Moderator: Estefan�a Arias

15:40�16:25

HALL A PANEL 16

Carbon Market (MVC) and COA Reform: The New Rules of the Game

Panelists: J�ssica Gallegos (MAAE) � Fernando Vela (MAAE) � Alex Saer (CERCARBONO) � Francisco Cuesta (USFQ)

Moderator: Ana Alb�n

HALL B PANEL 17

Finance: Blue, Green and Brown Capital

Panelists: Mauricio Vel�squez (CAF) � Juan Carlos Peralvo � Lisa Hammond � Jerry Toth

Moderator: Carlos Mantilla Batlle

PLENARY � Hall A + B � Afternoon

16:35

PANEL 18

Financial Instruments and Environmental Diplomacy for Megadiverse Countries

Panelists: Gabriel Quijandr�a (IUCN) � Alberto Dahik � Juan Carlos Vega � Andr�s Factos (MAAE)

Moderator: Carlos Mantilla Batlle

17:25

PANEL 28

Carbon and Biodiversity Markets: Prices, Rules and Who Is Buying

Panelists: Claudio Lutzky � Jaleh Daie (Aurora Equity) � Juan Carlos Peralvo � Drea Burbank (Savimbo)

Moderator: Germ�n Garc�a (Versa)

18:15

KEYNOTE VII

The Asset Missing from the Balance Sheet: Natural Capital, Country Risk and Ecuador's Accounts

Alberto Dahik (Ecuador) � former Vice President of the Republic and former Minister of Finance

18:40

Closing of Day 2

WORKSHOPS & ROUNDTABLE � Rooms 1 to 4

10:30�12:30

ROOM 1

From Project to Credit: Carbon, Biodiversity and Standards

Facilitators: Francisco Cuesta (USFQ) � J�ssica Gallegos (MAAE) � Jorge Moncayo (MAAE)

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

10:30�12:30

ROOM 4

Energy and El Ni�o in Business: Operational Continuity During Drought and Power Cuts

Facilitators: Andrea Arrobo � Claudio Huepe (Chile) � Mauro Intriago

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

11:00�12:00

ROOM 3

Noise, Vibration and Wildlife: How Human Sound Alters Biodiversity

Facilitator: Robert Finck

Workshop � 1 h

14:15�16:15

ROOM 1

New European Union Export Rules (EUDR) and Digital Traceability

Facilitators: Claudio Lutzky � Jos� Antonio Hidalgo (AEBE) � Leonardo Viteri

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

14:15�16:15

ROOM 3

Nature Risk and Disclosure for Companies: TNFD, ESRS E4 and Target 15 of the Global Biodiversity Framework

Facilitators: Andr�s Factos (MAAE) � Gabriela Pozo (USFQ) � Diana Rauchwerger (PLACIS)

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

14:50�16:50

ROOM 2

Technology-Based MRV: eDNA, Sensors and Drones in the Field

Facilitators: Mar�a de Lourdes Torres (USFQ) � Drea Burbank (Savimbo) � Roger Sep�lveda (Genoma)

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

14:00�15:30

ROOM 4

ROUNDTABLE � COA Reform and the New Carbon Market (MVC): Are the Rules Clear Enough to Invest?

Participants: Marcelo Salame (Asocarbono) � Fernando Vela (MAAE) � Jorge Moncayo (MAAE) � J�ssica Gallegos (MAAE)

Moderator: Juan Rivadeneira Firscht

Roundtable � 1.5 h

DAY 3 � Friday, November 6

From Science to Market

Regenerative production � water � energy � markets

PLENARY � Hall A + B � Morning

07:30

Registration & Accreditation

Welcome coffee at the BioConnection Expo.

09:02

KEYNOTE VIII

El Ni�o and Production: Regenerating to Build Resilience

Marcelo Salame (Ecuador)

09:29

KEYNOTE IX

Science of Tropical Food Systems and Agrobiodiversity

Patrick Van Damme (Belgium)

09:59

KEYNOTE X

Food and Water Sovereignty as a National Security Doctrine

Ram�n Espinel (Ecuador)

10:28

KEYNOTE XI

Agricultural Policy and the Regenerative Transition in the Global Context

Joseph Niyomukiza (Rwanda)

10:54

Coffee Break � BioConnection Expo

PARALLEL SESSIONS

11:30�12:15

HALL A PANEL 19

Regenerative Production: From Soil Health to Market Value

Panelists: Alexis Vela Arias (MAAE) � Joseph Niyomukiza (Rwanda) � Juan Carlos Vega � Sascha Matecki

Moderator: Lisa Hammond

HALL B PANEL 20

Biodiversity 2.0: Verification and Certification of Regenerative Production

Panelists: Alex Saer (CERCARBONO) � Gabriela Pozo (USFQ) � Diana Rauchwerger (PLACIS) � Juli�n P�rez (ESPOL)

Moderator: Germ�n Garc�a (Versa)

12:20�13:05

HALL A PANEL 21

Regenerative Production as Productive Policy: Cocoa, Shrimp and Agriculture Facing El Ni�o and New Markets

Panelists: Leonardo Viteri � Lisa Hammond � Jerry Toth � Ram�n Espinel

Moderator: Rodrigo G�mez de la Torre

HALL B PANEL 22

Press Panel � Greenwashing: How It Is Detected and Exposed

Panelists: Isabel Alarc�n � Carlos Mantilla Batlle � two international correspondents (TBA)

Moderator: Yalil� Loaiza

13:05

Lunch � BioConnection Expo

14:10�14:55

HALL A PANEL 23

Soils, Livestock and Regenerative Production

Panelists: Sascha Matecki � Rodrigo G�mez de la Torre � Juan Pablo Grijalva (El Orde�o) � Juan Carlos Vega

Moderator: Patrick Van Damme

HALL B PANEL 24

Rivers and Watersheds: Fluvial Ecosystems, Ecological Flow and Drought

Panelists: Blanca R�os-Touma (USFQ) � Isabel Tamariz (EMAPAG EP) � Bol�var Erazo � Martha Cruz

Moderator: Esteban Guevara

15:00�15:45

HALL A PANEL 25

Blue Carbon, Mangroves and Conservation Fisheries

Panelists: Adri�n M�rquez (ESPOL � CENAIM) � Mar�a Jos� Barrag�n (Charles Darwin Foundation) � Robert Finck � Alexander Hearn (USFQ)

Moderator: Alexis Vela Arias (MAAE)

HALL B PANEL 26

Biological Risks and Resilience of Crops and Species

Panelists: Lizbeth Espinoza (ESPOL) � Andr�s Factos (MAAE) � Luc�a Luje Asimbaya (MAAE) � Esteban Guevara

Moderator: Elizabeth Coronado (MAAE)

PLENARY � Hall A + B � Closing

15:45

Coffee Break � BioConnection Expo

16:20

PANEL 27

P�ramo and High Mountains: Biodiversity, Water and Regenerative Ecotourism

Panelists: Jorge P�rez (Tierra del Volc�n) � Mar�a Jos� Andrade (Fundaci�n P�ramo) � Armando Castellanos (Fundaci�n Oso Andino) � Tarsicio Granizo (WWF)

Moderator: Juan Fernando Dur�n

17:10

Executive Closing and Announcement of BioSummit 2027

Marcelo Salame � President of BioSummit

17:25

Official Closing Ceremony

Alicia Jaramillo Cabo � Vice Minister of Environment and Marine-Coastal Affairs

WORKSHOPS, ROOM PANELS & ROUNDTABLE � Rooms 1 to 4

10:30�12:30

ROOM 1

Regenerative Production: From Living Soil to Market

Facilitators: Patrick Van Damme � Mar�a �ngeles Huerta (Spain) � Trent Blare (CIP)

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

10:30�12:30

ROOM 2

Blue Carbon, Mangroves and Conservation Fisheries

Facilitators: Adri�n M�rquez (ESPOL) � Mar�a Jos� Barrag�n (Charles Darwin Foundation) � Juan Carlos Peralvo

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

10:30�12:30

ROOM 4

Productive Water, Rivers and Resilience in the Face of El Ni�o and Drought

Facilitators: Pablo Cornejo (INAMHI) � Blanca R�os-Touma (USFQ) � Lizbeth Espinoza (ESPOL)

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

11:00�11:45

ROOM 3

PANEL 30 � Ecuador's Energy Crisis: Water, Drought, Hydropower and El Ni�o

Panelists: Andrea Arrobo � Bol�var Erazo � ESPOL � Escuela Polit�cnica Nacional (EPN)

Moderator: Pablo Zambrano

Panel � 45 min

12:00�12:45

ROOM 3

PANEL 31 � Pathways Out of the Energy Crisis: Non-Conventional Renewables, Distributed Generation, Efficiency and Financing

Panelists: Claudio Huepe (Chile) � Mauricio Vel�squez (CAF) � Mauro Intriago � Ministry of Energy

Moderator: Ana Alb�n

Panel � 45 min

14:30�16:00

ROOM 2

ROUNDTABLE � European Market Access and Deforestation Rules (EUDR): Barrier or Opportunity?

Participants: Marcelo Salame (PLACIS) � MAAE � Mar�a �ngeles Huerta (Spain) � Paula S�nchez (MAAE) � Jos� Antonio Hidalgo (AEBE)

Moderator: Juan Rivadeneira Firscht

Roundtable � 1.5 h

14:30�16:30

ROOM 1

Forest Certification and Responsible Management (FSC)

Facilitators: Maria Gallardo (FSC) � Tuntiak Katan (IKIAM) � Ryan Lynch

Workshop � 2 h � 50 seats � diploma ESPOL � USFQ � EPN

15:00�15:45

ROOM 4

PANEL 32 � Traceability, Blockchain and Chain of Custody: From Farm to Buyer

Panelists: Francisco Semblantes � Jos� Z�rate (Stamping.io) � Alberto Moscoso (Tokenus) � Sascha Matecki

Moderator: Isabel Alarc�n

Panel � 45 min

DAY 4 � Saturday, November 7

BioSummit Expedition

Two field expeditions � limited capacity

The BioSummit experience continues beyond the Convention Center. Day 4 connects participants directly with some of Ecuador's most strategic ecosystems.

Registration is available at the event desk until Friday, November 6.

EXPEDITION 1

Tierra del Volc�n

P�ramo, Water and Regenerative Ecotourism

Hosts: Jorge P�rez (Tierra del Volc�n) � Mar�a Jos� Andrade (Fundaci�n P�ramo)

EXPEDITION 2

Tierra de Osos � Papallacta

Andean Bear Corridor: High-Andean Forest and P�ramo

Host: Armando Castellanos (Fundaci�n Oso Andino)

November 4, 5 & 6

Permanent Exhibitions

01

BioConnection Expo

Sponsors, institutions and ventures from the biodiversity economy. Open throughout all three days and home to coffee breaks and lunches.

02

Scientific Poster Gallery

50 research posters from USFQ, ESPOL, Escuela Polit�cnica Nacional and the Ministry of Environment.

03

Territories of Life � Ecuador

A photographic exhibition showcasing Ecuador's wildlife: the Andes, Amazon, Coast and Gal�pagos.

Agenda subject to change. TBA names will be confirmed at biosummit.net.