World Pest Day 2026 Marks a Decade of Global Impact

Defending Health Across Borders: The Global Power of Pest Management

This year, World Pest Day celebrated a major milestone: its 10th anniversary. Observed annually on June 6 since 2017, World Pest Day is a global initiative led by the Global Pest Management Coalition (GPMC) to raise awareness of the essential role pest management plays in protecting public health, food safety, and the environment around the world.

To mark this decade of progress, the 2026 theme, "Defending Health Across Borders: The Global Power of Pest Management," highlighted how pest management professionals everywhere — across borders, languages, and regions — work toward a shared goal of healthier, safer communities. The anniversary tagline, "Marking 10 Years of World Pest Day — United Around the Globe," reflected the spirit of the milestone: a decade of unified global action against the health threats posed by pests.

A Decade of Global Collaboration

Since its founding in 2016 by Mrs. Huang, World Pest Day has grown into a worldwide platform that brings together pest management associations, government bodies, and public health advocates. The GPMC — whose member organizations include the Confederation of European Pest Management Associations (CEPA), the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), the Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers Associations (FAOPMA), and the China Association of Pest Control and Health (CPCA), among others — serves as the centralized lead for the day's global programming each year.

Celebrating World Pest Day at the Global Public Health & Food Safety Summit

This year's flagship celebration took place on June 5, 2026, in Hong Kong, as part of the Global Public Health & Food Safety Summit, co-presented by CEPA, NPMA, and FAOPMA. The program brought together coalition leaders, public health experts, and pest management professionals from around the world for a celebration befitting the occasion's 10th anniversary.

Highlights from the Hong Kong program included:

• Welcome and opening remarks from GPMC Chair Manuela Cordeiro, who recognized event sponsor Rollins
• A keynote address from Academician Xu Jianguo of the China Association of Pest Control and Health, a co-initiator of World Pest Day
• Remarks from GPMC coalition leadership, delivered by Raju Parulkar of FAOPMA, who welcomed GPMC representatives from around the world to the stage
• A special World Pest Day Public Welfare Recognition, honoring individuals and organizations that have championed World Pest Day over the past decade — including a tribute to Mrs. Huang, who founded World Pest Day in 2016
• A screening of the animated short film "Deadly Pests," presented by the China Association of Pest Control and Health
• A festive dancing lions performance, celebrating the occasion in local Hong Kong tradition
• Closing remarks from Dominique Stumpf of NPMA

Throughout the Summit, attendees also viewed a rotating slideshow featuring highlights from past World Pest Day celebrations and photos submitted by pest management organizations from around the world, showcasing the global reach and local impact of the profession.

Looking Ahead

As World Pest Day enters its second decade, the GPMC and its member associations remain committed to advancing public awareness of professional pest management's role in safeguarding communities worldwide.