ICCs at Taipei Convention

ICCs were present at the Taipei Rotary Convention from 13 to 17 June 2026.

ICC Family gathered at the ICC Booth located in the House of Friendship, Breakout Session and ICC Dinner.

Charters signed between Japan & Ukraine, Philippines & USA, China & USA as Well as a twin Club Agreement between Türkiye & Australia Rotary Clubs. ICC Members Welcomed Rotarians from all over the World and promoted Intercountry Committees.

Next ICC Event will be in Casablanca on 3rd June 2026. There, ICC EC President Nathalie Huyghebaert will hand over her Position to Annemarie Mostert.

The vibrant city of Taipei transformed into a cultural mosaic and a global hub of humanitarian inspiration as the 2026 Rotary International Convention successfully concluded. Held from June 13 to 17, 2026, across two of the city’s most iconic venues—the Taipei Dome and the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center (TaiNEX)—the four-day event drew more than 38,000 Rotary members and participants from over 140 countries and regions, making it one of the largest conventions in recent Rotary history.

Marking the first time in 32 years that Taipei has hosted the global gathering, the convention showcased Taiwan’s warm hospitality, starting with a thunder of traditional drums that opened the first general session. Outgoing Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo welcomed attendees by reflecting on the unifying nature of the organization, noting that while languages and cultures vary across the globe, the core “Rotary heart” remains identical. Mayor Chiang Wanan also highlighted Taipei’s meticulous venue preparations and enhanced local transportation support, which allowed international visitors to seamlessly explore the city and its famous local night markets.

A cornerstone of the general sessions was a focus on Rotary’s primary areas of service, particularly the final, critical push for global polio eradication. President Arezzo addressed the financial and political pressures surrounding the initiative, emphasizing that the global family must stand firm on its promise to the world’s children until the paralyzing disease is entirely eradicated.

The convention featured an exceptional lineup of world-class speakers, led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai. Addressing thousands of attendees during the second general session, Yousafzai delivered an emotional speech advocating for girls’ education and mental health awareness. Recalling how her own father was a dedicated Rotary member, she highlighted the 120 million girls globally who remain out of school, urging Rotarians to leverage their ambitious vision to support young female leaders at the community level. The audience also heard from youth representatives, including Salome Agbaroji, the United States National Youth Poet Laureate, who performed her poem “HOPE,” describing Rotarians as the “engineers of small social revolutions that achieve measurable good”. To facilitate connections among a highly diverse delegation, the convention’s volunteer committee introduced the *HOC GO!* app, providing real-time video translation services to overcome language barriers for non-Mandarin speakers. This emphasis on modern tools carried over into a series of dynamic breakout sessions, which covered topics such as *AI for Good: Empowering Rotary’s Mission With AI*, *Anime Environmental Education*, and *Rotary Rising: Engaging the Next Generation*. Meanwhile, the expansive House of Friendship at TaiNEX showcased over one hundred humanitarian projects, giving attendees a firsthand look at grassroots solutions to disease prevention, water sanitation, and economic development.

The final day of the convention marked a historic milestone for the global organization with the official introduction of Olayinka Hakeem Babalola as the incoming Rotary International President for the 2026–2027 term. Presented to the international delegation by President Arezzo during the closing general session, Babalola shared the stage with his family, sparking widespread celebration across global districts. His assumption of office signifies a monumental chapter, as he becomes only the second African leader to hold the highest office in Rotary International history.

The event concluded on a high note with a festive closing ceremony featuring a live performance by world-renowned singer Leona Lewis, whose anthems brought thousands of delegates to their feet. As attendees departed the venues through a human corridor of cheering local volunteers, the shared consensus was clear: the Taipei convention successfully renewed a global spirit of trust, fellowship, and actionable goodwill. Rotarians are now turning their eyes toward the future as preparations begin for the 2027 International Convention in Barcelona, Spain.

On June 15th the official singing ceremony between Japan & Ukraine

Rotary Friendship continues in Shanghai

Wonderful ICC China hospitality offered this evening in Shanghai to around 80 Rotarians from Russia, Italy, the US, UK, Germany, Poland and Belgium. Claudine Richard and Andrzej gave presentations on different aspects of the ICC network and our plans for 2026-28.

The Chinese side are clearly keen to engage! Many thanks to our gracious Chinese hosts ICC National Chair Richard Zi and Special Representative Ian!