News

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

International Symposium on Invasive Species

Challenges for Agriculture and Biodiversity

📍 Belgrade, Serbia
📅 November 5–6, 2026

           The Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, is pleased to announce the International Symposium on Invasive Species: Challenges for Agriculture and Biodiversity, which will be held on November 5–6, 2026, at Hotel Royal Inn, Belgrade, Serbia.

           The aim of the symposium is to provide a platform for the exchange of scientific and professional knowledge, experiences, and examples of good practice in the field of invasive species management, as well as to strengthen regional and international cooperation.

           The symposium will address invasive species in agriculture, forestry, and the environment, focusing on current challenges, monitoring systems, risk assessment, and management strategies.

Scientific Committee

Dr. Dragana Marisavljević
Senior Research Associate, Chair of the Scientific Committee
Department of Herbology, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia

Slobodan Bojičić
Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia

Dr Nenad Trkulja
Director, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia

Dr Julijana Kulakova
All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center (FGBU “VNIIKR”), Bykovo, Russia

Dr Tatjana Cvrković
Principal Research Fellow, Department of Plant Pests
Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia

Dr Ana Anđelković
Senior Research Associate, Department of Herbology
Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia

Dr Pablo González Moreno
Department of Forest Engineering, ERSAF
University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain

Riccardo Scalera
Department of Science, Roma Tre University
IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group
IUCN SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group
Rome, Italy

Prof. Dr Predrag Lazarević
Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany, Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”
University of Belgrade, Serbia

Prof. Dr Božena Mitić
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science
Department of Biology, Zagreb, Croatia

Prof. Dr Ankica Sarajlić
Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Croatia

Dr Mirjana Pražić Golić
Senior Research Associate, Department of Zoocides and Biocides
Belgrade, Serbia

Dr Jasmina Bačić
Research Associate, Department of Plant Diseases – Laboratory of Nematology
Belgrade, Serbia

Dr Milana Mitrović
Principal Research Fellow, Department of Plant Pests
Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia

Dr Oliver Krstić
Senior Research Associate, Department of Plant Pests
Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia

Dr Barbara Gerič Stare
Head of Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Plant Protection
Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Prof Dr Giuseppe Brundu
University of Sassari, Department of Agriculture
Sassari, Italy

Prof. Dr Sava Vrbničanin
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Serbia

Prof. Dr Biljana Vidović
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Serbia

 Vera Batajski
Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research
Belgrade, Serbia

Prof. Dr Milka Glavendekić
Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade, Serbia

MSc Verica Mitrović Stojanović
Head of the Biological Department
Natural History Museum, Belgrade, Serbia

Symposium Topics

Section I

Legislation and Current Status of Invasive Species in the EU, Russia and the Region – Importance of International Organizations and Cross-Border Cooperation

• legislative framework and regulations
• current status and spread trends
• role of international organizations
• examples of good practice

Section II

Invasive Species in Agriculture and Forestry and the Role of administrative measures

• phytosanitary measures and plant quarantine
• economic impact of invasive species
• early detection and rapid response systems
• modern monitoring methods

Section III

Presentation of Research Projects (Science Fund and Other Projects)

• results of ongoing and completed projects
• knowledge transfer and practical implementation of research results

Section IV

Invasive Species and Their Impact on Biodiversity

• ecological consequences of invasive species spread
• threatened native species and habitats
• ecosystem protection and restoration measures

Section V

Invasive Species and Climate Change

• effects of climate change on the spread of invasive species
• risk prediction models
• adaptive management strategies

Round Table Discussions

Round Table I

The Importance of Regional Cooperation in Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species

• cross-border cooperation
• exchange of data and experience
• joint prevention and management strategies

Round Table II

Monitoring Invasive Species and Connecting the Scientific Community and Stakeholders

• national and regional monitoring systems
• digital platforms and databases
• involvement of policy-makers, professionals and the public

Presentations

Invited experts will deliver keynote lectures, while other contributions will be presented as oral presentations or posters, based on the decision of the Scientific Committee after the review of submitted abstracts.

The official language of the symposium is English.All accepted abstracts will be published in the Book of Abstracts (electronic and printed edition).

Abstract Submission

📅 Deadline for abstract submission:
June 1, 2026

Abstracts should be sent to:
📧 marisavljevicd@yahoo.com

Please indicate in the subject line:
“For the Symposium”

Registration Fee

Participants from Serbia: 10,000 RSD
International participants: 90 EUR

The registration fee includes:

• symposium materials
• lunches
• coffee breaks

Information about the payment procedure will be provided later.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at Hotel Royal Inn
🌐 https://royalinn.rs/?lang=sr

Single room: 95 € per night
Double room: 100 € per night
City tax: 1.37 € per person per night

The number of rooms is limited. Accommodation should be booked directly with the hotel, indicating that you are a symposium participant.

Gala Dinner

The Gala Dinner will be organized on November 6, 2026.
Information about the venue and additional details will be announced later.

    We invite scientists, researchers, representatives of institutions, policy-makers, and professionals to participate and contribute to discussions on one of the key challenges of modern agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity conservation.

    We look forward to welcoming you to the Symposium!

Sincerely,

Dr Nenad Trkulja
Director
Institute for Plant Protection and Environment

Dr Dragana Marisavljević
Chair of the Scientific Committee

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