Negros wins over Australia to host 2027 Organic World Congress
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL WINS BID FOR 2027 ORGANIC WORLD CONGRESS. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental
BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental won its bid to host the 2027 Organic World Congress.
The province got 128 votes against Brisbane, Australia, which had 92 votes, in an event held at the Nanhua University in Taiwan on Thursday, Dec. 5.
The Organic World Congress, co-organized by the IFOAM – Organics International, is held every three years and attended by thousands of organic farmers, producers, researchers, advocates, and policy experts worldwide.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson Lacson, in his speech in Taiwan, said the province, considered the “Organic Food Bowl of the Philippines,” is home to more than 17,000 organic practitioners and enthusiasts, and progressive policies like the Negros Organic Agriculture Ordinance.
Negros Occidental, he said, has become a learning hub for sustainable farming, supplying certified organic products to both local and global markets.
Article continues after this advertisement“Hosting the IFOAM Organic World Congress in Negros Occidental is not just an event for us. It is an opportunity to amplify the organic movement, inspire policy reforms, and empower farmers worldwide,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement“We envision this Congress as a platform for innovation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration that will drive the change we all hope to achieve,” he added.
Lacson pointed out that Negros Occidental is the emerging Organic Food Bowl of Asia.
He said the aspiration to host the Organic World Congress “is something we consider not just a privilege but a calling, aligned with humanity’s shared aspiration for better health, ecology, fairness, and care.”
IFOAM, in its mission to address hunger, climate change, biodiversity loss, and the economic well-being of farmers and food workers, champions regenerative organic systems grounded in the principles of health, ecology, fairness, and care.
Lacson said Negros envisions a future where organic practices become the norm rather than the alternative, “for the sake of our health, our planet, and the shared future we strive to build.”
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Negros Association of Chief Executives president, who, with 13 other mayors of the province, accompanied Lacson to Taiwan, said hosting the Organic World Congress 2027 is a defining moment for Negros Occidental.
“It is a chance to showcase the strength of our sustainable agriculture and bring honor to our province and the Philippines,” he said.
“What resonated most with stakeholders weren’t our urban centers but our breathtaking eco-tourism sites and the inspiring stories of our people’s deep connection to nature,” he added.
“Now, the real work begins. We must rise to the challenge by enhancing infrastructure, streamlining logistics, and equipping our people to meet the expectations of a global audience.”
Benitez said the Organic World Congress in 2027 would be a platform for knowledge-sharing, forging global partnerships, and strengthening the local agriculture sector to boost local agri-tourism.
