Event Programme
The panels and workshops will provide an in-depth exploration of the key issues related to iboga, fostering rich exchanges and offering practical training for participants, while strengthening Gabon’s role as a center of excellence for research and the sustainable development of the sacred root.
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Hall
- National Anthem
- Opening Song: “Je t’invite au Gabon” performed by artist Annie Flore Batchiellilys
- Welcome address and presentation of the ILS 2026 project by Mr. Patrick MOUGHENDA MIKALA, President of the ILS 2026 Organizing Committee
- Speech by the UNESCO Resident Representative
- Interlude: Forest Tale by Michel Pecoin, National Storyteller
- Speech by the Minister of Water and Forests
- Interlude: Mongongo Song performed by Pape Nzengue
- Speech by the President of ECCAS
- Interlude: Tandima Dance Troupe, led by Lauriane Ekondo
- Opening Speech by the President of the Republic
- Presentation of a ceremonial gift to the President of the Republic
- Family Photo
- Guided tour of the Grand Mbandja Expo – Associations’ Stands
Objective: Explore the intersection between Bwiti, a traditional knowledge of Gabonese peoples and modern scientific advances on iboga, emphasizing the complementarity between the two.
Objective: Train local farmers and industry stakeholders in sustainable agricultural practices for the cultivation of iboga, ensuring both quality production and environmental preservation.
Target Audience: Farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, agricultural technicians.
Topics Covered:
✔ Environmentally friendly cultivation techniques
✔ Soil and irrigation management
✔ Biodiversity preservation in the cultivation of iboga areas
Objective: Address the issues related to the commercial exploitation of iboga, its ethical implications, and the solutions to regulate this exploitation in order to prevent biopiracy.
- Hall
Objective: Assess the potential of iboga in treating various physical and psychological conditions, highlighting the connection between ancestral knowledge and the latest scientific advancements.
Objective: Train healthcare professionals and researchers on the therapeutic properties of iboga and the treatment methods using ibogaine.
Target Audience: Physicians, pharmacists, neuroscience researchers.
Topics Covered:
✔ Therapeutic effects of ibogaine on mental disorders
✔ Methodologies for clinical trials and iboga research
✔ Development of iboga-based treatments within public health systems
Objective: Analyze the advances in the use of iboga (particularly ibogaine) for the treatment of addictions, comparing scientific findings with practical experience.
Objective: Engage younger generations in preserving the cultural traditions surrounding iboga and in promoting the plant’s sustainable development.
Target Audience: Students, young researchers, community leaders.
Topics Covered:
✔ The role of young people in preserving Gabon’s cultural heritage
✔ Local initiatives for education on Bwiti culture and the responsible use of iboga
✔ Promotion of scientific research and innovation related to iboga
- Hall
Objective: Provide participants with the tools to understand and apply international and national regulations on the management of genetic resources, with a particular focus on iboga.
Target Audience: Lawyers, policymakers, natural resource managers, and environmental law researchers.
Topics Covered:
✔ The Nagoya Protocol and its application in the Gabonese context
✔ National legal framework for the management of iboga and genetic resources
✔ Implementation of fair benefit-sharing mechanisms arising from the exploitation of iboga
Objective: Discuss the creation of a sustainable sector for the cultivation and commercialization of iboga, with a focus on its economic and ecological dimensions.
Objective: Examine how iboga can be integrated into Gabon’s public policies to promote sustainable development, conservation, and the management of natural resources.
Objective: Train local stakeholders in sustainable marketing and commercialization strategies for iboga and its derived products, while upholding ethical and environmental standards.
Target Audience: Local entrepreneurs, sales managers, marketing professionals.
Topics Covered:
✔ Building an environmentally conscious brand around iboga
✔ Developing responsible and sustainable distribution channels
✔ The importance of ethical marketing and transparency in the value chain