Bermuda Principles 30th Anniversary Conference
The Bermuda Principles Foundation has announced that its 30th Anniversary Conference, themed “Future-Proofing Global Collaboration in Genomics,” will be held February 25–28, 2026, at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club in Bermuda.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Principles Foundation, the only non-profit organisation founded on the legacy of the Bermuda Principles, today announced the dates of the Bermuda Principles 30th Anniversary Conference, to be held 25–28 February 2026 at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, Bermuda with a theme of ‘Future-Proofing Global Collaboration in Genomics.’
“The 2026 conference is presented in partnership with the Wellcome Sanger Institute, global leaders in genomics and CariGenetics, leaders in Caribbean genetics marking 30 years since the formation of the Bermuda Principles, the first ever data sharing agreement in the world.
“First agreed in Bermuda in 1996 at the International Strategy Meeting on Human Genomic Sequencing, the Bermuda Principles set a ground-breaking standard: all sequence data generated as part of the Human Genome Project was released into the public domain within 24 hours and could not be patented. This bold commitment accelerated medical research and fostered an unprecedented culture of collaboration that continues to shape science three decades on.
“Founded in 2016 by Bermudian Dr Carika Weldon, the Bermuda Principles Foundation held conferences to commemorate this decision from 2017–2020, the ‘Bermuda Principles Impact Conference series’ bringing more than 200 scientists from around the world to Bermuda to honour this legacy and chart the future of science. In 2026, Bermuda will for the first time host the world’s leading genomics thinkers.
“Under the banner ‘30 Years. 30 Talks. 1 United Goal’, the 2026 conference will convene international experts to explore how global genomics can remain equitable and future-ready in an era of AI, big data and precision medicine. Sessions will cover themes such as: National Genomics Initiatives, Data Sharing Frontiers in Clinical Genomics, Next Generation of Genomics Reference Resources, Benefit Sharing and Justice for All, Bioinformatics and AI Decision Support, The Evolution of Genomic Data Privacy and the Bermuda Principles 2.0 – Charting the Next 30 Years.
“An exceptional roster of global leaders in genomics, ethics, data sharing and bioinformatics will fly to Bermuda next February, including:
- Professor Robert Waterston, USA, original attendee of the 1996 meeting, United States
- Dr Serena Scollen – ELIXIR, Europe
- Professor Ambroise Wonkam – President of the African Society of Human Genetics & Head of Genetics at Johns Hopkins University, Africa/USA
- Dr Heidi Rehm – Massachusetts General Hospital/Broad Institute, USA
- Dr Carika Weldon, CEO of CariGenetics, Bermuda
- Professor Mark Taylor – University of Melbourne, Australia
- Dr Katherine Littler – World Health Organization, Europe
- Dr Weibin Liu – Human Genome Project 2, China
- Professor Nicola Mulder – Bioinformatics Institute, Africa
- Dr ThankGod Ebenezer – African BioGenome Project, Africa
- Professor Caroline Wright – University of Exeter, UK
- Dr Michael Dunn – Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK
- Professor Dame Janet Thornton – EMBL-EBI, UK
- Professor Patrick Tan – Singapore Genome Project, Singapore
- Dr Piero Carninci – Human Genome Organisation, Europe
- Mr. Peter Goodhand – CEO of Global Alliance of Genomics & Health, Europe
- Professor Lygia Pereira, Gen-T Science, Brazil
“The 2026 Bermuda Principles Award will be presented to Professor Ewan Birney from EMBL-EBI in recognition of his outstanding contributions to genomics and to the global culture of responsible genomic data sharing.
“There will be two powerful legacies from the 30th Anniversary Conference. Globally a bold Bermuda Principles 2.0 will be drafted to steer genomics research for the next 30 years. Locally a new Bermuda Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence will, for the first time, bring the power to analyse genetic data home to Bermuda, with a high-level global stakeholder meeting during the conference.
“It is an honour to announce that Nvidia, the world’s leading AI company, will support the new Bermuda Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence with guidance, expertise and software tooling. Nvidia will also be represented on island as a keynote speaker in the AI Session during the conference.
“By pairing Bermuda’s pioneering role in genomic data sharing with Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI platforms, the Centre of Excellence will:
- Enable local analysis of complex genomic datasets;
- Accelerate research relevant to Caribbean and other underrepresented populations; and
- Provide hands-on training opportunities for Bermudian students and early-career scientists in bioinformatics, AI and data science.
Dr Carika Weldon, Founder of the Bermuda Principles Foundation and CEO of CariGenetics, said, “In 1996 in Bermuda, a group of 50 scientists made a decision that changed science forever: to share genomic data openly, rapidly and for the benefit of all. In 2026, we are bringing that spirit home again – not just to celebrate the past, but to design the next 30 years of responsible, equitable data sharing.
“As a Bermudian geneticist, it is especially meaningful to welcome the world’s leading genomics experts to our shores while we build local capacity through CariGenetics and the new Bermuda Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence. This conference is an invitation to global partners and to our local community – students, educators, health professionals and businesses – to help shape a future where Caribbean and other underrepresented populations are truly seen in the genomic data that drives tomorrow’s medicine.”
Kendaree Burgess, Managing Director, Bermuda Business Development Agency [BDA], said, “Bermuda has always punched above its weight as a hub for innovation, and genomics is no exception. The creation of a Bermuda Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence means that genetic data generated here and across the region can now be interpreted here, by our own scientists and students.
“For young Bermudians, this opens a pathway into high-value careers at the intersection of science, data and technology. We are encouraging local businesses to support this world-class event by joining us in supporting this worthwhile endeavour. This is about building Bermuda’s future workforce, right here at home.”
The spokesperson said, “For any business interested in sponsoring the Bermuda Principles 30th Anniversary Conference, please email admin@bermudaprinciples.org.”
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