En particular, compartimos la preocupación expresada por MASIPAG respecto a la necesidad de fortalecer la representación efectiva de los agricultores. Si bien el reconocimiento de INOFO constituye un avance, consideramos que aún es limitado frente a la diversidad y peso de los pequeños productores dentro del movimiento orgánico.

Asimismo, vemos con pertinencia la propuesta de la Asociación de Agricultura Ecológica de orientar los escaños actualmente “abiertos” hacia criterios de desarrollo y equidad. En un contexto global marcado por desigualdades estructurales, los mecanismos completamente abiertos tienden a favorecer a quienes ya cuentan con mayores capacidades organizativas y recursos.

En la misma línea, coincidimos con lo señalado por Organic Trade Association sobre la importancia de garantizar que los procesos de preselección continental sean transparentes, accesibles y realmente representativos de la membresía, evitando que se concentren en estructuras limitadas o poco vinculadas con los miembros.

Consideramos que la Moción 1a representa un avance respecto al modelo actual, particularmente en la incorporación de criterios de representación geográfica y en el mantenimiento del rol decisorio de la Asamblea General. Sin embargo, su efectividad dependerá de la solidez de los mecanismos que aseguren inclusión, equidad y participación real.

Desde la perspectiva de América Latina, donde predominan sistemas productivos de pequeña escala y procesos organizativos territoriales diversos, es fundamental que esta reforma no solo garantice representación formal, sino también condiciones efectivas para la participación de regiones y actores históricamente subrepresentados.

En este sentido, apoyamos avanzar con la Moción 1a, incorporando ajustes que fortalezcan:

• criterios explícitos de equidad en los escaños abiertos,
• mecanismos claros de transparencia en la preselección continental,
• y una inclusión efectiva de productores y sectores subrepresentados.

We request that the continental pre-selection procedure explicitly safeguard sub-regional balance within each continental seat, in particular, ensuring that the Arab and MENA regions are not structurally absent from the World Board across consecutive terms.

We recommend that the working procedure include a transparent mechanism to monitor and report sub-regional representation over time, so that continental seats deliver genuine regional inclusion rather than aggregating diverse sub-regions under a single voice.

MOTION 1a | World Board Composition
The World Board Composition is addressed by two mutually exclusive motions: Motion 1a and Motion 1b. Motion 1a is part of the consolidated governance options developed by the World Board. Motion 1b is drawn from the federated subsidiarity model proposed by the Governance Advisory Board.

Since both motions cannot be adopted simultaneously, the General Assembly will proceed in two steps.

- First, members vote to determine which motion is brought to a substantive vote. The motion receiving the greater number of votes in this preliminary round proceeds to a final vote.

- Second, the selected motion is put to a vote and requires a two-thirds majority of votes cast, as both motions involve amendments to the Statutes.

If the selected motion does not achieve the required two-thirds majority, the current statutory provisions governing World Board composition continue to apply.

Each motion is a different forum. Please click on the respective forum to comment, propose amendments, and/or second amendments.

Remember

Read the How to section to understand how to write your feedback.

Within the proposed text; the red color indicates modifications to the Statutes.

Note: Please keep in mind that while comments are welcome from all affiliates. Amendments to motions and seconding a motion amendment are only possible for voting members who have paid their membership fee in 2026.

Hello folks,

I'm asking all of us to stop and look clearly at where IFOAM stands today. It’s a fabulous organization that has completed 50 years. In such situations, most organizations re-orient themselves and evolve to face the realities of the present – this is true even for IFOAM. We must realize that status quo isn't working. We need change - but change that is grounded in reality, not only ideology, and that delivers solutions we can actually implement.

Motion 1A has a flaw: it pushes regional bodies to the margins. For over twenty years, these organizations have been the engine of organic agriculture in their regions. They are not abstract entities - they are on the ground, working with farmers, building networks, lobbying governments. Many started small and have grown into formidable institutions with expanding memberships, all under the IFOAM banner.

Here's the math: over 60% of IFOAM's membership comes through regional bodies. Yet this motion does’nt give them adequate space. When IFOAM's reputation is at risk, so is theirs. When trust erodes at the global level, it can collapse at the regional level - threatening the survival of organizations that have spent decades building credibility.

And here's what I don't understand: Why are we being forced into a choice? Why present members with "Motion 1A or Motion 1B" when a single, unified motion could have been crafted? Both contain important elements. Both are incomplete in some sense and need to be relooked. There is obvious common ground – not irreconcilable differences.

Governance reform of this magnitude cannot be rushed through in one vote. What cannot be resolved now should be carried forward to the General Assembly in the Philippines. This is not delay - it is diligence. Members deserve time to deliberate, not pressure to pick sides.

Let's govern like the movement we claim to be: collaborative, inclusive, and accountable to our members.

Candidacies for all seats must be received at least three months before the regular General Assembly and must be endorsed by five members, of which one must be from the candidate’s organization.

Rationale: IFOAM is a membership organization and only candidates from member organizations should be eligible to run for the World Board election. Exceptions can be made for co-opted members.

Facilitation: The IFOAM – Organics International office shall facilitate the continental pre-selection process and publish the results, together with candidate profiles, at least sixty (60) days before the General Assembly. Where recognized existing Regional Bodies exist, there is an option for the regional body shall to facilitate elections of representatives candidates from that continent where they can demonstrate capacity and procedures ensuring transparent elections accessible for all IFOAM – Organics International members on the continent.

Rationale: Regional bodies have a better understanding of regional issues and key major players. Hence, facilitation of the elections by these will ensure maximum participation and engagement. It will also be cost and time effective.

Inhabitants in Mio:
Asia                4780
Africa              1470
Europe              774
Latin America    662
North America   389
Oceania              46

Also the balance of voting IFOAM members is uneven distributed if we use the continental criteria.

The number of inhabitants, states and voting IFOAM members is too unbalanced,
it also does not allow enough weight to other important groupings within IFOAM,
therefore I believe 1b is the way to go.

All proposed motions this time are acceptable for us; however, we need more basic and target IFOAM governance motions soon.

They are as below.

Raison d'être of IFOAM

To extend organics around the world is most significant for us.

We must reconsider why the global organic land share is still 2.1% since the establishment of IFOAM in 1972. We must make our best effort to enhance IFOAM credibility and to get more donations worldwide.

Unified nomenclature for WB, Sector platform, Regional Body

A proposed simplified IFOAM structure is shown in Figure.

We say STUDY GROUP as unified one.

ORGANIC 3.0

Realization process of ORGANIC 3.0

- Conversion

- Sustainability

- Inclusiveness

How would these three elements be proceeded.

OWC

Following matters seem necessary:

- Paper selections: Reviewers, Quality, Paper inclusion possibility to the conference proceedings for accepted but no attendance at conference.

- Guidelines for attractive events during the conference.

For MOTION 1a

  Comment: A restructured model figure must be prepared to show the clear differences between previous structure and restructured one.

  Question: Job descriptions/expertise should be defined for individual STUDY GROUP (See in General Suggestions).