Announcement on the Organic World Congress 2024

Dear Affiliates and Friends of IFOAM - Organics International,

As you may recall, the 2021 General Assembly voted for Tunisia to host the Organic World Congress (OWC) 2024, as required by the call for hosts in 2020. After the vote, it became clear that the OWC business model was not fit for purpose, as shown by the fact that the OWC in 2021 resulted in significant losses for IFOAM – Organics International. Therefore, the World Board decided to change the business model of the OWC in order to reduce the financial risk for future events, including the OWC in 2024.

While Tunisia continued to demonstrate its commitment and ability to organise the OWC and negotiated the new model, the change in procedures and requirements was not compatible with the business model on which the original Tunisian bid was based. Despite the best of intentions and efforts made by all parties, it was not possible to sign the contract for the OWC and the General Assembly in Tunisia in 2024.

We sincerely thank our Tunisian partners for their commitment to the process and their collaboration with us. We also acknowledge that there has been strong support for a World Congress to be held on the African continent and hope that this will materialise in the not too distant future.

We are currently in advanced discussions regarding an alternative solution for 2024 and will keep you informed. The World Board also appreciates the patience of our affiliates as we work towards a feasible solution.

Best wishes, 

Karen Mapusua

President, IFOAM - Organics International