World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon Draws Delegates from 75 Countries Under Theme ‘Joint Actions, Resilient Futures’

19 May 2026, Portugal: More than 1,700 delegates and guests from over 75 countries have gathered in Lisbon for the 2026 World Seed Congress, as the global seed industry faces growing pressure from geopolitical tensions, climate change, trade disruptions, and food security concerns.

Hosted by the International Seed Federation in collaboration with the ANSEME, the Congress is being held from May 18–20, 2026, at the Lisbon Congress Centre. The event has attracted representatives from more than 900 companies and organizations, making it one of the largest editions of the annual global seed industry gathering.

The Congress comes at a time when global agri-food systems are under increasing stress due to conflicts, extreme weather events, and economic instability. Industry discussions are expected to focus on strengthening resilience in seed systems, ensuring uninterrupted trade, accelerating innovation, and improving global cooperation in agriculture.

This year’s theme, “Joint Actions, Resilient Futures,” highlights the need for collaborative approaches to address challenges affecting food production and agricultural sustainability worldwide.

Speaking at the opening session, Michael Keller said the strong turnout reflected the seed industry’s commitment to international cooperation despite rising geopolitical uncertainties. He noted that collaboration and innovation remain essential for addressing long-term global agricultural challenges.

According to industry estimates cited during the Congress, seed innovations account for nearly 74 percent of crop yield gains recorded in the European Union. Delegates emphasized that modern crop variety development depends heavily on international collaboration, with breeding, testing, seed production, and commercialization often taking place across multiple countries before seeds reach farmers.

Arthur Santosh Attavar stated that seed companies continue to invest significantly in research and development to accelerate innovation in crop improvement. He said the industry is working with governments and seed associations worldwide to support regulatory frameworks that enable faster access to improved seed technologies for farmers.

Key discussions during the Congress include global seed market trends, regulatory alignment for plant breeding innovation and new genomic techniques (NGTs), biodiversity and plant genetic resources, inclusive seed systems, and the launch of new ISF Social Responsibility Guidelines.

Portugal’s seed sector is also being highlighted during the event for its role in connecting European and Portuguese-speaking agricultural markets. Pedro Pereira Dias said hosting the Congress in Lisbon provides an opportunity to address challenges related to climate adaptation, access to quality seed, and agricultural resilience across Portuguese-speaking regions.

Industry leaders attending the Congress have stressed that access to quality seed, innovation in plant breeding, and international cooperation will remain critical to ensuring food and nutrition security as climate-related risks and global trade uncertainties continue to intensify.

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