Key Takeaways
- Women in Agribusiness (WIA) announced the launch of its inaugural Global Summit 2026, to be held May 18–19, 2026, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- The event will gather senior executives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and innovators from Europe, the Americas, and MENA.
- The summit builds on the success of WIA’s U.S. event, now in its 14th year.
- The launch aligns with the UN’s International Year of Women in Agriculture and new EU gender diversity legislation coming into effect in 2026.
- Core themes include leadership, markets and trade, policy and sustainability, innovation, and career development.
Women in Agribusiness Expands with Global Event
Women in Agribusiness (WIA) announced the launch of the Women in Agribusiness Global Summit 2026, its first international gathering, which will take place in Amsterdam on May 18–19, 2026, at the Postillion Hotel.
The summit will convene stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain, including corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers, to address opportunities for advancing women’s roles in global agribusiness.
Building on U.S. Success
The event builds on the organization’s flagship WIA Summit in the U.S., which has become the premier annual gathering for nearly 1,000 female agribusiness professionals over the past 14 years.
“Thanks to the success of our U.S. event, there have been calls to host an international summit to provide this connection and learning environment for a global audience of female agribusiness professionals,” said Svitlana Synkovska, portfolio director for Women in Agribusiness.
Timely Launch Amid Policy Shifts
The debut of the WIA Global Summit coincides with two significant policy developments: the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s designation of 2026 as the International Year of Women in Agriculture and new EU gender diversity legislation, which will require major companies to increase leadership diversity beginning in 2026.
Synkovska noted that these developments make the summit “timely and critical for exploring these regulatory shifts and their impact on global agribusiness.”
WIA Summit Themes and Program
The WIA Global Summit 2026 will focus on five core themes:
- Global Agribusiness Leadership
- Markets & Trade
- Policy, Sustainability & Gender Equality
- Innovation & Investments
- Networking & Career Development
Programming will include expert presentations on commodities, inputs, logistics, supply chains, ESG initiatives, and agtech investments. The agenda also features CEO roundtables, leadership masterclasses, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, alongside site visits across the Dutch agribusiness ecosystem.
“As the agribusiness landscape becomes more interconnected, it’s imperative to ensure that women have a seat at every table, from the farm to the boardroom,” Synkovska added. “WIA Global Summit 2026 will be that table and serve as a landmark platform to champion gender equality, innovation and leadership within the global agribusiness value chain.”
