Speakers
Plenary Session
Distinguished Professor Brajesh Singh will explore the pivotal role of microbial communities in maintaining and restoring ecosystem function under accelerating environmental change. Drawing on global-scale studies and applied research from agriculture to drylands, his keynote will examine how microbial biodiversity directly underpins soil health, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.
Highlighting recent advances in microbiome-informed ecosystem solutions, Professor Singh will demonstrate how microbial interventions can increase ecosystem functionality, resilience, rehabilitate degraded landscapes, and drive sustainable productivity in sectors like agriculture and forestry. The session will also spotlight the development of microbial indicators for soil health, the application of biostimulants and biofertilisers, and the integration of microbiome strategies into climate-smart land management and policy frameworks.
This opening keynote will showcase microbes not only as responders to climate stress, but as active agents of solutions—critical to rebuilding ecological balance in a warming world.
Professor Brajesh Singh is a globally recognised leader in soil microbial ecology and ecosystem functioning. As Chair of the UN FAO’s International Network on Soil Biodiversity, he champions the role of soil biodiversity in supporting climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem restoration. His interdisciplinary research spans functional soil ecology, land use change, and environmental stress, with a strong focus on translating science into practical outcomes.
Professor Singh’s work informs global policy and practice on soil health and biodiversity conservation, particularly through his leadership roles with the FAO and other international bodies. A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and recipient of the Dorothy Jones Prize from AMI, he is also a trusted advisor to governments and institutions worldwide. His keynote will address the vital role of microbiomes in ecosystem restoration and food security in the face of global environmental change.