SAGE 2026 Opens in Phuket, Thailand

The 5th International Congress on Southeast Asian Gateway Evolution (SAGE 2026) is currently under way in Phuket, Thailand, running from 3 to 7 August 2026 at the Phuket Royal City Hotel. Organised under the National Research Council of Thailand's Hub of Knowledge project on the conservation and utilisation of biodiversity in the Mekong River Basin, and jointly hosted by the Centre of Excellence on Biodiversity, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Thailand, and the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University, the congress brings together researchers from across the region and beyond to share the latest work in systematics, ecology, evolution and related fields of biodiversity science.

Following the success of previous congresses held in Bogor, Indonesia (2018) and Manila, the Philippines (2022), SAGE 2026 continues the tradition with a full programme of symposia, contributed paper sessions and poster presentations, alongside social events including an icebreaker party, a farewell dinner and a closing excursion.

Adding further excitement to this year's proceedings, Pensoft is sponsoring two awards to recognise outstanding contributions from student delegates. The Best Student Oral Presentation award will honour the talk judged strongest on content, clarity and presentation skills, while the Poster Presentation Popular Vote award will go to whichever poster proves the crowd's favourite, as determined by attendee votes for the most engaging entry. Each winner will receive a complimentary publication in a Pensoft-published journal of their choice.

Delegates are encouraged to attend the sessions, cast their votes for the poster award, and join in celebrating the winners as SAGE 2026 continues through to its farewell dinner on Thursday, 6 August.