IAF and ILAC members, partners and stakeholders convened in Bangkok, Thailand, this October for the 2025 IAF/ILAC Joint Annual Meetings. Over the course of ten days, delegates from around the world took part in committee meetings, strategic workshops and general assemblies that marked both the culmination of decades of joint work and the beginning of a new era in international accreditation.

The meetings brought together a wide range of activities, including IAF and ILAC committee meetings, the IAF Board meeting, and the separate and joint General Assemblies of both organisations. During the same week, delegates also held the second General Assembly of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, the new organisation that will formally succeed IAF and ILAC beginning 01 January 2026.

A major focus throughout the week was preparing for this shift. The launch of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated represents the next step in a long-standing collaboration between IAF and ILAC, unifying their missions into a single trusted international accreditation organisation. In Bangkok, members approved documents and discussed how existing technical and policy work would continue seamlessly under the new structure, ensuring that the accreditation community will continue giving individuals and organisations worldwide the confidence to trust the accredited processes and results they depend on.

A series of workshops throughout the week highlighted the diversity of topics shaping the future of accreditation. Sessions explored themes such as the growing role of artificial intelligence in conformity assessment, priorities in the field of sustainability, and the role of the conformity assessment ecosystem in supporting regulatory initiatives through mechanisms such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The workshops provided valuable opportunities for members to exchange insights and strengthen cooperation.

In closing remarks, IAF Chair Emanuele Riva and ILAC Chair Etty Feller reflected on the historical significance of the Bangkok meetings. They noted that this gathering marked the final time the two organisations would meet in their current forms, a symbolic handover to a unified organisation that will provide one internationally recognised accreditation framework.

The Bangkok meetings were not only an opportunity to review progress and technical achievements but also a moment to celebrate the community’s shared commitment to quality, confidence and collaboration. The launch of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated on 01 January will build on that legacy, carrying forward the principles of IAF and ILAC into a unified future for global accreditation.