IAAC launches its 35th General Assembly in Lima, a regional meeting to strengthen accreditation and Quality Infrastructure

September, 2026

The Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) has launched its 35th General Assembly in Lima, Peru, taking place from September 13 to 18, 2026. The Assembly brings together representatives of accreditation bodies and stakeholders from across the Americas to share experiences, strengthen regional cooperation, and advance strategic issues for accreditation and Quality Infrastructure.

The General Assembly is one of the main meeting spaces for the IAAC community. Throughout the week, it includes meetings of its committees and working groups, dialogue and knowledge-sharing sessions, as well as open activities addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the region in accreditation, conformity assessment, and Quality Infrastructure.

An official opening to a week of regional work

The official opening of the 35th General Assembly took place on September 14 in Lima, with the participation of Peruvian authorities and IAAC representatives.

The ceremony included welcome remarks from César José Bernabé Pérez, Executive President of  INACAL, and Andrea Melo, President of IAAC, who officially opened the week of work and exchange.

Following this, Patricia Aguilar Rodríguez, Director of Accreditation at INACAL, presented the 35th General Assembly and its central theme, followed by remarks from Juan Carlos Requejo, Minister of Production of Peru, who delivered the opening address and officially declared the Assembly inaugurated.

This ceremony marked the beginning of a week bringing together representatives from different organizations and sectors across the Americas to share experiences, strengthen cooperation, and advance issues that contribute to the development of accreditation and Quality Infrastructure in the region.

An agenda connecting accreditation, cooperation, and emerging challenges

As part of the General Assembly program, IAAC’s various committees and working groups are meeting throughout the week to address technical, strategic, and cooperation-related matters aimed at strengthening accreditation and recognition systems across the Americas.

The agenda also addresses issues related to digital transformation, the evolution of recognition mechanisms, strengthening the capabilities of accreditation bodies, and the new challenges emerging in a constantly changing regional and international environment.

These working sessions provide IAAC members with opportunities to exchange experiences, follow up on initiatives, and continue developing joint responses to the region’s current and future needs.

Two open spaces for regional dialogue

As part of the activities of the 35th General Assembly, two events particularly focused on dialogue and exchange with different Quality Infrastructure stakeholders will take place during the week.

On September 16, the Business Expo “Quality for Export” will take place, providing a space to address the role of quality, accreditation, and conformity assessment in trade, competitiveness, and access to markets.

On September 17, the 2nd Business Conference on Conformity Assessment, Accreditation, Industry and Government will take place under the theme “Digital Quality Infrastructure to Foster Trust in the Circular Economy.”

The Conference will address the challenges and opportunities associated with the digitalization of Quality Infrastructure and its contribution to a trust-based circular economy, bringing together perspectives from accreditation, conformity assessment, industry, and the public sector.

Both activities are part of an agenda aimed at broadening the conversation around quality and creating spaces for exchange among the different stakeholders contributing to the development of the region.

An Assembly also commemorating 30 years of IAAC

The 35th General Assembly also holds special significance for IAAC as it takes place within the framework of the organization’s 30th anniversary.

Three decades after its creation, IAAC is once again bringing its community together to recognize the journey undertaken while also looking ahead to the challenges that will shape the future of accreditation and Quality Infrastructure in the Americas.

The 30th anniversary celebration of IAAC will take place during this week in Lima as part of the General Assembly activities, providing an opportunity to recognize the organization’s history, cooperation, and the people who have contributed to its development.

Lima, a meeting point for the Americas

With an agenda combining technical work, regional cooperation, dialogue, and reflection on future challenges, the 35th General Assembly of IAAC makes Lima a meeting point for the accreditation community of the Americas.

Throughout the week, members and participants will continue sharing knowledge, strengthening connections, and working together to ensure that accreditation and Quality Infrastructure continue to contribute to building trust across the region.