IBO Steering Committee Visits Lithuania Ahead of IBO 2026

From November 4 to 9, members of the International Biology Olympiad Steering Committee visited Lithuania. The IBO Steering Committee, the executive body of the International IBO Association, oversees the annual competition and supports host countries in organizing the Olympiad. The visit marks a significant milestone in the preparations for the IBO 2026, which will take place in Vilnius from July 12 to 19, 2026.

During their stay, the committee members took part in several important meetings. On November 5, they held a session at Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (LSC); on November 6, they visited the planned Olympiad venues and met with the leadership of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports; and on November 7, they met with the Rector of Vilnius University and members of the Olympiad Council.

Reflecting on the visit, IBO Steering Committee President Lenka Libusová emphasized the strong progress already achieved by the host country: “Our visit to the host team in Lithuania was very fruitful. We had the opportunity to ask many questions and closely supervise the preparatory process for IBO2026. I personally appreciate how advanced and well-planned the organizational side of the competition already is. I look forward to meeting all the competitors and jury members in Vilnius in July for IBO2026!”

To mark this stage of preparation for the event, the symbolic IBO trophy – established in 1995 and passed each year to the next Olympiad organizers – is currently on display in the lobby of Vilnius University Life Sciences Center, co-organizer of the IBO 2026.