The 6th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity is organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia from 2nd to 5th July 2023 in Penang, Malaysia. The tri-annual global conference will for the FIRST TIME be brought to Malaysia and ASEAN, where distinguished scientists from across continents discuss and share their findings on marine biodiversity concerning the changing climate and conservation – topics crucial to conserving the World’s Hotspot in Biodiversity, located in the region. All the issues to be presented and discussed will be relevant to the region’s needs. They will benefit the countries in ASEAN and Asia, being in the world’s BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT.

 The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity is a triennial assembly of scientists, policymakers, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders with strong interest in marine biodiversity to share research outcomes, management, and policy issues pertaining to the roles of biodiversity and biodiversity conservation in sustaining the ocean ecosystems.

The Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia with strong support from the Penang State Government is honoured to be chosen as the main organizing institution for the 6th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2023 (WCMB 2023) which will be held for the first time in Southeast Asia, which coincidentally is situated at the world's centre of maximum marine biodiversity.

The WCMB 2023 is expected to gather more than 400 participants from across the globe. WCMB 2023 will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas and scientific discoveries, forge new collaborations, and most importantly, encourage the younger generation to be part of the solution of the global marine biodiversity crisis. This is in line with our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as celebrating the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science in delivering the science we need for the ocean we want through marine biodiversity.

The conference theme Marine Biodiversity Challenges in the Anthropocene seeks to focus our attention on the unprecedented changes ocean ecosystem are undergoing in response to natural processes, a warming planet, and human activities that threaten endangered species and the provision of invaluable ecosystem services billions of people depend upon. This region also has become one of the fastest-growing economic regions with rapid population growth that have put multiple stresses on the unique marine ecosystems here. Apart from that, global issues such as ocean acidification, warming of the ocean, hypoxia, and severe weather conditions continue to ravage our ocean which has directly impacted marine biodiversity and marine ecosystems.

The event is an invitation to present the best marine biodiversity science aimed at detecting and understanding sea life changes in every corner of the world and unravelling mechanisms driving these changes, from the surface layer to the deep seafloor, the coastal zone to the pelagic, and from the tropics through polar areas.

The breadth and depth of thematic areas included in this year's conference is inspiring. Seven Special Sessions will be led by collaborative regional and global efforts to address trans-disciplinary, fundamental science questions relevant to the implementation of biodiversity monitoring and data management frameworks, drivers of change in coastal ecosystems, current and emerging threats to coastal and deep-sea biodiversity, Artificial Intelligence applications for resource management and conservation, and stewardship of marine natural capital in service of a healthy blue economy. Furthermore, the event will serve the stage to an impressive and diverse lineup of keynote speakers.

Seize the many opportunities this conference will offer to students, early-career ocean professionals, mid-career and senior scientists, and industry partners visiting Penang from every corner of the world. Engage in discussions, challenge established and emerging ideas, exchange knowledge and foster collaborations, be inquisitive, and become an advocate for marine biodiversity.