Sharks International 2026 (SI2026), the world's largest scientific conference on sharks, rays, and chimaeras, was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from May 4 to 8. Hosted by the Blue Resources Trust, the event attracted over 800 scientists, conservationists, and policymakers from 82 countries, marking the first time the conference was held in Asia. SI2026 focused on bridging the gap between scientific research and conservation policy, with over 800 presentations discussing critical issues like bycatch reduction, fisheries management, and the threatened status of many shark and ray species globally, where over one-third are at risk of extinction. The conference provided a vital platform for scientists from the Global South, particularly Sri Lanka, a region rich in marine biodiversity yet heavily exploited, to contribute to global conservation efforts and showcased the nation's commitment to marine science.