2026: Walking Forward, Together

Dear Member Countries and Partners of the Global Pepper Community,

The beginning of a new year often invites us to pause, if only briefly, and to take stock of how far we have come. As 2026 unfolds, I find myself reflecting not only on plans and priorities but on the people, the places, and the quiet perseverance that continue to sustain the global pepper community.

Over the past year, the world around us has felt increasingly complex. Economic adjustments, political uncertainties, climate pressures, and changing trade dynamics have become part of our shared reality. In such moments, progress is rarely dramatic. More often, it is carried forward through patience, resilience, and countless small decisions made each day by farmers, traders, policymakers, and partners who remain committed to moving ahead, even when the path is not always clear.

Within this global context, the pepper sector has continued to stand with steady resolve. From smallholder farms to international markets, the commitment to quality, trust, and sustainability has endured. These efforts may not always make headlines, yet they are the reason our value chain continues to function, adapt, and evolve.

In 2026, the International Pepper Community moves forward under the Chairmanship of Indonesia. This moment is best understood not as a new beginning, but as a continuation of a shared journey, one that places collaboration, dialogue, and mutual responsibility at its core. At a time when global cooperation can feel increasingly fragile, IPC remains a space where producing and consuming countries come together with a common purpose.

As we look ahead, our collective focus remains clear. Strengthening the pepper value chain means ensuring that sustainability is practical and inclusive, that quality and food safety remain uncompromised, and that innovation serves people as much as it serves markets. Through continued work under the IPC Committee on Quality, our shared commitment to food safety will remain central to maintaining confidence in pepper as a safe and premium commodity. At the same time, expanding digital access and transparency will help stakeholders navigate uncertainty with better information and stronger connections.

Yet beyond programmes and priorities, what truly sustains our community is cooperation. In a world shaped by uncertainty, collaboration becomes an anchor. It allows us to listen across differences, to learn from one another, and to move forward with greater clarity and confidence than any of us could achieve alone.

As we prepare for the IPC Annual Sessions and Meetings 2026 in Indonesia, I warmly invite all members and partners to engage in open and thoughtful dialogue. These gatherings offer a moment not only to discuss the future of the pepper sector but to reaffirm the trust and relationships that make progress possible.

Pepper has long been known as the King of Spices. For me, it also represents something quieter and enduring: the strength of communities that persist, adapt, and grow together. As we move through 2026, I hope that we continue to walk this path with patience, purpose, and a shared belief in what we can build together.

On behalf of the IPC Secretariat, I wish you a year marked by good health, meaningful collaboration, and steady confidence in the journey ahead.

Warm regards,

Marina Novira Anggraini
Executive Director
International Pepper Community