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COVID-19 and ICCB 2023

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the uncertainty and instability it presents, SCB has implemented its ICCB Covid-19 Contingency Plan and will conduct ICCB 2023 virtually. 

Questions: We realize that you may have questions about Covid-19 as you plan to attend ICCB 2023 next year in Kigali. Please email ICCBTeam@conbio.org and we will respond promptly within 24-48 hours. 

ICCB 2023 Contigency Plan

If the coronavirus presents too much uncertainty for a safe, well-attended, in-person meeting in December, ICCB will move to a virtual platform with an anticipated virtual meeting in the 4th quarter of 2020. 

We are mindful of the time window attendees and ICCB sponsors and exhibitors need to organize travel plans to Rwanda, secure funding, and change their plans if necessary. We will communicate our plans for responding to the evolving nature of Covid-19 and it's potential impact on ICCB 2023 so attendees, sponsors and exhibitors have the information they need to make decisions. Attendees will be given between five-to-six months advance notice of any decision to pivot from an in-person to a virtual meeting (between mid-June to mid-July).

A decision to move ICCB to a virtual event or scale down the Congress doesn't happen in one moment, but through a series of assessments made over time. Depending on the level of risk presented by Covid-19 in mid 2023, we will offer an assessment and decision on whether to pivot to a fully virtual meeting or a scaled-down in-person event. 

In the lead-up to this time frame, we will be engaged with our partners in Rwanda, including the Rwanda Convention Bureau, and communicate clearly with members and potential attendees and sponsors so participants have the information they need to make informed decisions in advance. 

SCB will support evidence-based decision-making around the individual and population health risk of attendees by responding proactively to recommendations from the World Health Organization, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and local health departments in Kigali.

Irrespective of advancements that prevent spread of Covid-19 like vaccine implementation, the Steering Committee will work to implement health security protocols that support a safe and healthy environment. The committee is also mindful of ethical concerns around global travel and is looking at virtual technology to support remote participation at scale with the congress budget. 

COVID-19 FAQ

How does Covid-19 affect planning for ICCB 2023?
Our ICCB planning timeline and operations are not affected by Covid-19.  Expect the call for abstracts and other planning inititiatves to happen on the same time scale as previous ICCBs. We are, however, taking extra measures to prepare for the possibility that ICCB 2023 may pivot to a virtual meeting (see below).

Will ICCB be postponed a second time? If so, when would it be rescheduled? 
We do not expect to postpone ICCB 2023 a second time. If by mid-year 2021 (July) the coronavirus presents too much uncertainty for a safe, well-attended, in-person meeting in December, ICCB will move to a fully virtual platform with an anticipated virtual meeting in the 4th quarter of 2020. 

Given uncertainty around the longterm impact of Covid-19, should I submit an abstract for ICCB 2023?
Yes. We plan on hosting ICCB 2023, ideally in-person in Kigali in December 2023. If we cannot hold an in-person meeting, we expect to move ICCB to a virtual event and accepted abstracts / proposals would be guaranteed for the virtual format. We will also allow limited remote presentations in one or two rooms at the in-person event as necessary. 

Steering Committee Updates on COVID-19

March 2020
We've initiated discussions with the Rwanda Convention Bureau and the Kigali Convention Center on reserving back-up dates (mid-December 2023 / early January 2024) in case ICCB needs to be postponed due to Covid-19. COVID-19 will be a standing agenda items for all monthly meetings of the Steering Committee for as long as the virus remains a Global Health Pandemic, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, or a Regional Epidemic.  

April 2020
The Rwanda Convention Bureau is working with the Kigali Convention Center on proposed back-up dates, should ICCB need to be postponed. Back-up dates include 12-16 December 2023 and 10 - 14 January 2024.

May 2020
The Steering Committee discussed the role of virtual technology that supports remote participation should ICCB need to scale-down to a smaller in-person event. The Committee is taking steps to understand potential costs and impact of virtual technology at scale.  

October 2020
The Steering Committee recommended to the SCB Conference Committee and the SCB Board of Governors to postpone ICCB 2023 

November 2020
The Society for Conservation Biology officially postponed ICCB 2023 from 18-22 July 2023 to 12-16 December 2023. 

February 2021
We understand that Covid-19 complicates the ability of symposia organizers to secure a definitive lineup of committed speakers prior to the proposal submission deadline. Should it be possible to host the meeting in person, ICCB will accommodate limited virtual presentations. Sessions that include virtual presentations are limited to one or two rooms based on demand and are pegged to Central Africa Time / business hours in the Kigali Convention Center.

June 2021
The ICCB Steering Committee met with SCB Section presidents to discuss the implications of in-person and virtual events for delegates from their respective regions. We expect a final decision on the format of ICCB in July. 

July 2021
The ICCB Steering Committee issues decision to host ICCB 2021 virtually.