At its 2026 Annual Meeting & General Assembly (AM&GA) in Athens, the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) launched a three-part sustainability programme designed to move the meetings sector towards more measurable, standards-aligned delivery: a new Sustainability Strategy, the inaugural IAPCO Sustainability Award (supported by Business Events Australia), and a preview of the forthcoming IAPCO Sustainability Toolkit, due for full release in March 2026.
IAPCO President Sissi Lignou positioned the announcement as a governance-level commitment rather than a voluntary add-on, noting: “Sustainability is no longer a choice, it is a strategic imperative and an expectation of leading meeting owners across the globe.”
The Strategy is informed by the IAPCO Environmental Sustainability Study 2025, which assessed member progress and highlighted the need for clearer guidance, education, benchmarking and stronger advocacy, alongside closer alignment with recognised frameworks, including ISO standards and emissions protocols.
The inaugural award was presented to K.I.T. Group for its delivery of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, recognising initiatives that demonstrate measurable impact, legacy and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Accepting the award, Jocelyne Müll said: “Delivering a conservation-focused global congress requires sustainability to be both visible and verifiable.”
The forthcoming Toolkit – developed with Business Events Australia – is structured around Vision & Strategy, Corporate Sustainability, and Sustainability at Events, with practical checklists and case examples aimed at immediate implementation by PCO teams.