# International Union of Biological Sciences

The International Union of Biological Sciences ( IUBS ) is a non-profit organization and non-governmental organization founded in 1919 that promotes biological sciences internationally. As a scientific umbrella organization, it was a founding member of the International Council for Science (ICSU).

## History

The Union was founded in 1919 following the work of the Conference of Allied Academies of Sciences held in Brussels. Originally, the 'S' was not for 'Science' but for 'Societies'. After defining its constitution and organization in 1925, the IUBS adheres to the International Research Council (International Council for Science), which is now known as the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU). From 1925 to 1939, the IUBS worked on two main themes: information science and environment. This second project resulted in the creation of the World Conservation Union.

## Networking and cooperation

The Union was a founding member of the ICSU Scientific Committee and works closely with UNESCO. It also maintains relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It cooperates with the European Commission and numerous other organizations, agencies, and foundations.

## Organisation

The Union currently consists of:
* 44 national members, consisting of national science academies, research and scientific organizations; and
* 80 scientific members, including international scientific associations, societies or commissions of the various biological disciplines, from biology to zoology. New members are allowed under strict scientific guidelines.
The national and the academic members bring areas of biological science to the attention of the Union. The Union then reviews the members' suggestions. Approval is given in the General Assembly and the project progresses through conferences and then implementation through funding agencies.

### Board

The Executive Committee consists of: the President, the former president, two Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer and other members of the Extended Board. The Board meets annually. The Secretariat, with its Executive Director coordinates the programs and activities.

### General Assembly

In the General Assembly, each national member has one vote. The scientific members are invited to send one representative each to the talks and make programmatic proposals. The General Assembly elects the Executive Board for the proposed projects, selects the scientific programs of the Union, reviews the progress of scientific programs, collaborates with other international organizations and decides on the allocation of funding. The General Assembly takes place in parallel to a scientific conference, organized in cooperation with the National Union Committee of the host country.

## Programmes

The scientific programmes of the General Assembly are approved in accordance with the Statutes of the Union.

### Examples of programmes

Diversitas, Human Dimensions of Biodiversity, Climate Change Integrative Biology (ICCB), Systematics Agenda, Biological Education (BioED), IUBS Bioethics Ethics Committee earlier, Bionomenclature, Biology and Traditional Knowledge, Biological Consequences of Global Change (BCGC) Darwin200, Biosystematics, Species 2000, Genomics and Evolution, Modernizing the codes to meet future needs of scientific communities (Biocode), Biology Research and Education Resources in Africa, Reproductive Biology, Aquaculture, Bio-Energy and Towards an Integrative Biology (TAIB), Global Species List Working Group (GSLWG).

## Publications

The institution publishes four times a year Biology International and other publications such as the IUBS Monograph Series, Methodology Manual Series and the Proceedings of the IUBS General Assemblies.