MOTION 1b | WB Composition Diversity Criteria

Andrés González — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:59:14 +0000

MOTION 1b | World Board Composition Diversity Criteria
The World Board Composition has two mutually exclusive motions: Motion 1a and Motion 1b. While members will vote on both motions, they are mutually exclusive. Members should therefore reject the motion they do not support or may abstain from voting on that motion.

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.

MOTION 1b | World Board Composition Diversity Criteria
⚑ 2/3 MAJORITY — STATUTES CHANGE – Mutually exclusive with Motion 1a

Motion text

The General Assembly of IFOAM – Organics International resolves to take forward the following changes to the current World Board Composition

1 - Amend § 7 of the Statutes to read as follows:

7. Elections
Every regular General Assembly elects ten World Board members as follows:

(a) Recognised and active Regional Bodies are entitled to one (1) reserved seat per RB, ensuring predictable and structural representation of regional perspectives.

(b) INOFO is entitled to one (1) reserved seat, reflecting its specific constituency role.

(c) In each major geographical area where there is no recognised Regional Body, rules shall be established to ensure geographical representation in the World Board. The rules shall define the election of at least one (1) representative from each major geographical area not covered by a Regional Body.

The nomination of representatives to the reserved seats shall be the responsibility of the respective Regional Bodies or constituencies, in accordance with their own internal procedures.

The General Assembly of IFOAM – Organics International shall ratify the individuals nominated to occupy the seats allocated to Regional Bodies, INOFO and regions, ensuring overall accountability and consistency with the organisation’s Statutes and values.

Candidacies must be received at least three months before the regular General Assembly and must be endorsed by five members. A presentation of the candidates must be sent to the members at least 60 days before the General Assembly.

The World Board chooses an Executive Board (see § 8) from amongst the elected members before the end of the General Assembly. The World Board may co-opt up to three further World Board members. The World Board may elect additional Executive Board members and replace them as appropriate during the term.

Rationale

Guaranteed seats for Regional Body and sector platform representatives on the World Board of IFOAM – Organics International help ensure fair and balanced global representation. IFOAM – Organics International is a worldwide federation with members from very different regions, each facing unique agricultural, political, and market realities. Without formal seats, decision-making becomes concentrated in larger, wealthier, or more organised constituencies.

Guaranteed representation ensures that every recognised region and sector platform has a voice at the highest level, strengthening legitimacy, fairness, and trust across the federation. All strategic deliberations will be based on structured regional/thematic consultation rather than based on purely individual mandates. The World Board members, including those occupying reserved seats, would not represent the interests of their region as a constituency delegate.

This kind of structured representation on the World Board improves contextual policy intelligence, continuity across election cycles, and better communication between global and regional levels. In a federated governance model, this kind of representation is not a privilege but a constitutional mechanism that protects inclusivity, prevents centralisation of influence, and ensures that global strategy reflects the realities of organic movements across all regions.

MOTION 1b | WB Composition Diversity Criteria - General Assembly 2021 Forum

MOTION 1b | WB Composition Diversity Criteria