Plenary Sessions at the Organic World Congress
Step into the heart of the Organic World Congress through our Plenary Sessions—dynamic gatherings where thought leaders, visionaries, and changemakers from around the globe unite to inspire action and shape the future of organic farming and sustainable living.
In these keynote sessions, you’ll hear from trailblazing experts sharing cutting-edge insights on organic agriculture, climate change solutions, food security, and more. These sessions bring together diverse voices from different sectors—farmers, researchers, policymakers, and activists—to ignite ideas and foster collaboration.
Whether you’re looking to engage with innovative global policies, understand market trends, or discover the latest sustainable practices, the plenary sessions are where big ideas turn into impactful action.
Join us, and be a part of the movement that’s driving a better, more sustainable world!
Cultivating Organic Solutions for True Sustainability
What is this session about?
The opening plenary sets the scene for Cultivating Organic Solutions for True Sustainability. Allies in the movement for food systems change will share learning and insights and hold a discussion about accelerating transformation through shared purpose, partnership and valuing diversity.
Helmy Abouleish
Chief Executive Officer
SEKEM Group
Robyn Francis
Founder
Permaculture International
Yu-Pin Lin
Dean
College of Bioresources & Agriculture, National Taiwan University
Shamika Mone
President
INOFO
Amber Sciligo
Director of Science Programs
The Organic Centre
Ramon (Chinchin) Uy Jr
Councilor for Southeast Asia
Slow Food International
Monica Yator
Co-chair and indigenous peoples leader
Agroecology Coalition
A Global Strategy for a Diverse Global Organic Movement
What is this session about?
The Organic Movement is diverse by nature, with strong advocates in regions and cultures across the globe. This Plenary will feature a short presentation of the pillars of IFOAM – Organics International’s strategy, and a series of short, cross-cutting from movement leaders sharing initiatives, priorities and perspectives from regions, sectors and movements worldwide.
Helmy Abouleish
Chief Executive Officer
SEKEM Group
Christopher Atkinson
Head of Standards
Soil Association
Chang Wei Chi
Associate Professor
Department of Environmental & Cultural Resources, National Tsing Hua University
Bablu Ganguly
Executive Director
Timbaktu Collective
Mwatima Juma
Chair
Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement
Karen Mapusua
President
IFOAM - Organics International
Vanessa Ramírez
President
IFOAM - Latin America
Harvesting Knowledge: A Collective Exploration with Farmers and Scientists
What is this session about?
A dynamic plenary session where farmers and scientists come together to share their expertise and experiences in organic agriculture. Through a collective exploration of successes, challenges, and innovations, we will harvest knowledge and insights from the field and the lab, and explore ways to bridge the gap between research and practice. This session will foster a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives and set the stage for continued knowledge sharing and learning throughout the congress.
Wahyudi David
Board Member
ISOFAR
Lauren Dietemann
Department of Extension, Training & Communication Staff commitee
FiBL
Yih-Ren Lin
Professor
Taipei National University of the Arts
Thales Mendosa
Agroforestry Farmer - Global Relations
INOFO
Shamika Mone
President
INOFO
Amber Sciligo
Director of Science Programs
The Organic Centre
Multiple Pathways to Market Success: Retail, Community Supported Agriculture, PGS and Public Procurement
What is this session about?
Organic farmers & enterprises need new and fair market opportunities in order to survive and thrive. In this plenary, leading voices will share pathways, lessons and barriers for market success in retail, public procurement, Customer Supported Agriculture and PGS for small holders.
Fortunate Nyakanda
Executive Director
Zimbabwe Organic Producers and Promoters Association
Flavia Moura e Castro
PGS Consultant
Shih-Hsiung Chen
Organic Agriculture Ambassador
Ministry of Agriculture
Matthew Dillon
Co-CEO
Organic Trade Association
Sylvia Kuria
Farmer/Entreprenure
Sylvia's Farm
Regional and National Organic Policy: Breakthroughs and Lessons Learnt across the Globe
What is this session about?
There is new momentum behind National and local policies for organics and agroecology across all continents. In this plenary, leaders in organic movements will share policies that are working, share recent developments and lessons learned about advocacy and alliances.
Katie Fettes
Director of Policy and Research
Canada Organic Growers
Paul Holmbeck
World Board Member
IFOAM – Organics International
Chang-Min Hsu
Director
Agriculture Department, Chiayi County Government
Mwatima Juma
Chair
Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement
Gerold Rahman
Director
ISOFAR
