On 27 October 2026, the 9th International Seed Trade Congress of the ECO Seed Association (ECOSA) opened in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, bringing together more than 500 participants from government institutions, the private sector, international organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen regional cooperation and promote seed trade.
The opening ceremony of two-day Congress featured addresses by the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Ibrohim Abdurakhmonov; the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Dr. Asad M. Khan, who addressed the Congress virtually; and the President of the ECO Seed Association (ECOSA), Mr. Yildiray Gencer.
In his statement, Dr. Khan underscored the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening food security, agricultural productivity, and seed trade, emphasizing the need for compatible standards and transparent regulatory frameworks. He commended ECOSA’s efforts and highlighted proposed initiatives, including an ECO Common Variety Catalogue, joint seed certification and trade working groups, and a regional seed information exchange platform, while calling for progress on the draft ECO Regional Seed Agreement and greater engagement by Member States.
Representatives of the ECO Member States presented statements on their respective national seed sectors, sharing experiences and identifying opportunities for cooperation. The program also includes presentations on the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), OECD programs, and business-to-business meetings to promote partnerships and expand seed trade.
The Congress aims to translate regional dialogue into practical initiatives that support seed-sector development, investment, and stronger regional trade. A Congress Declaration is expected to be adopted at the conclusion of the meeting on 28 October, setting out shared priorities for future cooperation.
