Call for Special Session Proposals

The Organising Committee is pleased to invite proposals for Special Sessions at the upcoming 4th International Conference & Expo on Aquaculture & Seafood (Aquaculture Horizons), to be held from 13-15 April 2026 in Singapore.

Special Sessions offer a dynamic platform for researchers, policymakers, science advisors, Industry, practitioners, and community representatives to share ongoing initiatives and explore emerging and critical topics in ocean science, governance, and management.

As a Special Session organiser, you will have the opportunity to:

• Strengthen the science-policy-industry interfaceby translating research into actionable recommendations that support regional frameworks and global initiatives including UN SDG’s, the FAO Shanghai Declaration "Aquaculture for Food and Sustainable Development", the Global Biodiversity Framework, the BBNJ (High Seas Biodiversity) Treaty and the UN Decade of Ocean Science
• Foster regional cooperation by creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration among industry, scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and communities across the region
• Showcase innovations and best practices by presenting cutting-edge solutions, tools, and case studies that inform and inspire action at multiple levels.
• Promote inclusivity and diversity by engaging early-career researchers, multi-disciplinary practitioners, under-represented groups, and Indigenous and local communities, SME industry ensuring a rich and inclusive exchange of perspectives.
• Elevate UN SDG priorities on the global stageby positioning the region as a leader in ocean governance and contributing to international processes and dialogues.

We encourage all interested organisers to submit their proposals by June 30, 2025, and join us in shaping a dynamic and impactful event

1. Proposal Guidelines

1.1 Topics and Relevance

Proposals should address timely and significant themes related to all aspects of aquaculture and seafood, ocean science, governance, and management and demonstrate how these are aligned to priorities. Sessions must be coherent, relevant, and designed to generate insights that inform science, policy, and action at both regional and global levels

1.2 Organisation and Responsibilities

Session organisers are expected to take an active leadership role by:

• Designing and curating the overall content and flow of the session
• Identifying and inviting contributors and keynote speakers.
• Issuing a Call for Papers and proactively engaging potential contributors to ensure diverse, high-quality submissions.
• Reviewing and selectingall contributions to ensure relevance, rigour, and alignment with session objectives.
• Facilitating engaging discussions and capturing key insights and outcomes.
• Producing a comprehensive session report, including actionable recommendations.

1.3 Private Sector and Industry Participation

We strongly encourage submissions from the private sector and industry, both as session organisers and contributors, to promote cross-sectoral collaboration.

1.4 Session Format Options

To encourage engagement, sessions can adopt various formats, including:

• Open Sessions: Welcoming contributions from any participant, aligned with Symposium themes.
• Closed Sessions:Featuring pre-selected speakers, ideally from established networks.
• Interactive Workshops:Focusing on skills-building and collaborative learning.
• Roundtable Discussions: Facilitating open, thematic dialogues.
• Alternative Formats: Innovative formats are welcome and encouraged.

2. Submission Instructions

2.1 Proposal Document

Please submit a single PDF document (maximum 4 pages), following the provided template:

Template for Special Sessions - Refer page no. 4

2.2 Venue and Costs

Special Sessions will be hosted at the Symposium venue. Organisers should note that room hire fees apply, based on session length and room capacity. Refer to the Special Session Rate Card for details.

Special Session Rate Card

2.3 Review and Notification

Proposals will be evaluated by the Organising Committee for quality, relevance, and coherence. Accepted proposals will be assigned a Special Session identifier (e.g., Spes-01, Spes-02) and will receive further guidance.

3. Key Dates

Milestone	Date
Call for Proposals Opens	May 15, 2025
Proposal Submission Deadline	Jun 30, 2025
Notification of Acceptance	By 20 July 2025
Confirmation by Organisers	By 05 August 2025
Venue Allocation and Payment	By 20 September 2025
Special Sessions Date	Apr 13-15, 2026

4. Inclusivity and Early-Career Participation

We particularly welcome proposals from early-career researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and interdisciplinary teams. Proposals that integrate diverse perspectives across disciplines, sectors, and regions are strongly encouraged, in line with the event commitment to inclusivity and international collaboration.

5. Submission

Please submit your proposal to: rakshith.kumar@aquacultureconference.com.au

Subject line: Special Session Proposal – [Your Session Title]

For any queries or to discuss your ideas prior to submission, please contact us at rakshith.kumar@aquacultureconference.com.au

We look forward to receiving your innovative proposals and working together to deliver a vibrant and impactful Conference!

Special Sessions Evaluation Criteria

• Alignment with symposium theme
• Alignment to regional/global priorities
• Current/emerging science
• Policy relevance
• Demonstrated ability and willingness by proponents to pay requisite room hire fee