The 5th International Barcode of Life conference in Kunming marks the 10-year anniversary for DNA barcoding as an world-wide initiative. The progress during this time has been immense and DNA barcoding is now used in for instance research, biomonitoring, border control, food safety, education and citizen science. For this reason I have high expectations for the meeting in Kunming. An official program is not yet ready, but an unpublished draft that I have seen promises very interesting sessions and many high profile researchers for the invited talks. News and updates are regularly posted on the conference website: www.dnabarcodes2013.org. Submission deadline for abstracts is July 31, while early registration deadline is September 15.

Torbjørn