The World Seed Congress 2026, the largest annual global gathering of the seed sector, concluded in Lisbon with a record participation of more than 900 companies and organizations, and with the election of Argentina’s Lorena Basso as the first woman president of the ISF in the organization’s 102-year history.
Organized by the International Seed Federation (ISF), the Congress brought together more than 1,800 delegates and guests from 78 countries. Under the theme “Joint Action, Resilient Futures,” the event gathered seed companies, national and regional seed associations, policymakers, researchers, innovators, value chain partners, and next-generation leaders at a time when climate impacts, geopolitical instability, and trade disruptions continue to place pressure on global agri-food systems.
“The World Seed Congress in Lisbon demonstrated that, even in a time of constant change and volatility, our members, representing 96% of the global seed trade, remain committed to working together — across regions, crops, business models, and generations — to ensure that farmers around the world have access to quality seeds, supporting food and nutrition security and helping to build resilient food systems for the future,” said Michael Keller, Secretary General of the ISF.
A historic milestone in ISF leadership
During the ISF General Assembly, Lorena Basso was elected president of the International Seed Federation, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Basso, president of Basso Semillas, a family-owned seed company in Argentina, brings more than two decades of experience in the seed industry and has played an active role in the ISF’s strategic work as a member of its Board of Directors.
In her address to members, Basso acknowledged the importance of the moment not only for herself, but also for women throughout the seed sector and for Latin America. She paid tribute to women working “in the fields, in laboratories, in companies, in associations, in leadership positions, and often behind the scenes,” while emphasizing the importance of creating spaces that open doors for the next generation.
“Being the first woman to serve as ISF president means a great deal to me,” Basso stated. “And sharing this moment with a female vice president makes it even more special,” she added, referring to the election of Ellen Sparry, Managing Director of C&M Seeds, as vice president, paving the way for her to assume the presidency after Basso in 2028.
Reflecting on her family’s long-standing history in the seed sector, including her father and grandfather, Basso described their legacy as one of “work, respect, commitment, honesty, and love for seeds.” Looking ahead, she called on the ISF to remain focused not only on efficiency and action, but also on purpose.
“We are here because we believe seeds matter,” Basso said. “We are here because we know our work has an impact beyond ourselves: on farmers, food systems, innovation, climate resilience, and future generations.”
From commitments to practical action
The Lisbon Congress also marked the launch of the ISF’s new practical guidance document: Practical Guide for Seed Production: Navigating Social Rights and Ethical Practices in the Seed Sector. This voluntary framework is designed to help seed companies, suppliers, growers, and associations strengthen responsible labor practices throughout the seed value chain.
Throughout the three-day Congress, speakers representing international organizations such as the World Bank, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), alongside industry representatives, emphasized the importance of building inclusive and resilient seed systems at both global and local levels. The development and commercialization of a seed variety often involves breeding, trials, production, quality control, and distribution across multiple countries, making open, predictable, and science-based seed trade essential for farmers’ access and global food security.
The sessions also highlighted the importance of regulatory coherence for innovation in plant breeding, including new genomic techniques in Europe and other regions, as well as the need for policies that allow innovation to reach farmers without unnecessary, non-science-based barriers.
Discussions on plant genetic resources underscored the need for continued collaboration on conservation, access, and benefit-sharing, recognizing that genetic diversity remains the foundation of plant breeding, biodiversity, climate adaptation, and long-term food security. The Congress also issued a clear call to action to maintain investment in germplasm banks and strengthen public-private collaboration to conserve, characterize, and make plant genetic resources available for breeding, research, and farmer resilience.
“The discussions in Lisbon were not only about the challenges ahead, but more importantly about the responsibility — and the opportunity — of the seed sector to help shape what comes next. Resilient futures will depend on joint action, and Lisbon has given us a clear mandate to continue that work.”
The Congress was organized in cooperation with ANSEME, the Portuguese Seed Association, whose members represent nearly 90% of the Portuguese seed market. Portugal’s seed sector, with strong ties to Europe and the Portuguese-speaking world, provided an appropriate setting to discuss farmer access, climate adaptation, innovation, and global collaboration.
