WoCo2026 Concludes with a Grand Finale

The 69th IAAS World Congress (WoCo2026) concluded with meaningful visits, international events, and a closing gala on the final day of the program. The 12th day of the congress began with a visit to Anıtkabir by the participants.

Participants visited the final resting place of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, and learned about Turkey's historical and cultural heritage. Young people from different countries were informed about Atatürk's struggle for independence and the founding process of modern Turkey. Following the visit to Anıtkabir, participants attended a program titled "Empowering Young Women in Agriculture-Food Systems and Closing the Gap in Opportunities in STEM Fields," organized in collaboration with the World Food Forum (WFF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The event, held as part of the World Food Forum and FAO's 2026 International Year of Women Farmers initiative, addressed the issues of increasing the visibility of women working, producing, researching, and leading in agriculture and food systems, overseeing the challenges faced by young women, and developing solutions. Panel and impact demonstration sessions highlighted the contributions of women in agriculture, science, technology, and innovation, with particular emphasis on the importance of equal opportunities in STEM fields for sustainable development. Participants met with experts and young leaders from different countries to share experiences on a global scale. The closing gala of the congress was held at the Occidental

Hotel in Ankara. The gala program included thanks to the organizing team, volunteers, and stakeholders who contributed throughout the congress, and a review of the international friendships formed and the work accomplished over the 12 days. Participants from different countries bid farewell to WoCo2026 with cultural exchanges and commemorative photos. WoCo2026, organized under the theme “The Journey of Agriculture: From Anatolia to the World,” successfully concluded, bringing young people together around sustainable agriculture, innovation, and international cooperation. The congress, filled with technical tours in various cities across Turkey, academic sessions, general assemblies, and cultural events, ended with participants returning to their countries with new knowledge, strong friendships, and unforgettable experiences.