On 1 July 2025, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) takes over the presidency of EIROforum, which rotates annually between the eight members.

EMBL’s Interim Director General Professor Peer Bork and Interim Executive Director Professor Ewan Birney jointly assume the position of EIROforum Chair. They succeed Professor Xavier Barcons, Director General of the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

“We are honoured to take over the presidency of EIROforum and its joint activities. Together, the eight EIROforum organisations signal the importance and relevance of international, cross-disciplinary collaboration, enable the exchange of best practice on multiple different levels, and give voice to research infrastructures across Europe,” says Peer Bork.

Ewan Birney adds: “We highly value the collaborative work together with our partner organisations, which is more important for European and global science than ever before. We look forward to steering fruitful discussions and actions that reaffirm the importance of EIROforum as a critical asset for European discovery-driven research, innovation, and competitiveness.”

EMBL’s tenure will conclude on 30 June 2026.