ISF World Seed Congress 2026 – Dates, Agenda, Speakers & Keynote
The ISF World Seed Congress 2026 is the leading international event for the global seed sector, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, scientists, innovators, and partners from across the agricultural value chain. Since its establishment in 1924, the Congress has served as a trusted platform for dialogue, trade, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
Every year, the Congress creates unmatched opportunities to build connections, exchange expertise, and shape the future of seed innovation, sustainability, and global food security. Through inspiring plenary sessions, expert-led panel discussions, exhibitions, and thousands of business meetings, the event drives partnerships that strengthen agriculture worldwide.
Event Date
May 18–20, 2026 | Centro de Congressos de Lisboa – Lisbon, Portugal
Agenda
📅 18 May | Opening & Market Outlook
- Grand Opening Ceremony – Joint Actions, Resilient Futures
- Start of exhibition, trading floor, and private business meetings
- Press Conference with global media participation
- Value Chain Forum – Seeds & Grains
- Major keynote: Shocks, Shifts, and Silver Linings: What’s Ahead for Global Seed Markets?
- Global Markets Outlook session
- Networking at BASF Happy Hour
- Evening Welcome Party at Estufa Fria
📅 19 May | Innovation, Policy & Leadership
- Congress Run for Seed Resilience
- Panel on Gene-Edited Foods: From Lab to Lunchbox
- Session on Sustainable Value Chains in Modern Food Systems
- Leading Breeding: Policies That Power Innovation
- Biodiversity Framework for Global Plant Genetic Resources
- Exclusive Fireside Chat with Jeff Rowe
- Walk the Talk leadership interaction
- NGIN Speed Networking
- Evening networking at Corteva Happy Hour
📅 20 May | Sustainability & Closing Day
- Women Breakfast
- Panel: Beyond ESG: What Sustainability Really Looks Like for Agriculture
- Session on Planting Resilient Forests Starts with Seeds
- High-level discussion: Plant Health, COP30 & Future of Seed Trade
- Supporting Young Farmers
- Panel: Designing Truly Inclusive Seed Systems
- ISF General Assembly
- Closing celebration at Convento do Beato
