The XXVI Congress of the Socialist International took place in Madrid, Spain, hosted by the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, PSOE. Delegates including heads of state and government, party leaders and specially invited guests gathered together from around the world for the event, which was preceded by a meeting of the SI Council.

After opening speeches elections took place for the leadership of the SI for the new inter-Congress period. President of the Spanish Government and Secretary General of the PSOE, Pedro Sanchez, was elected for the post of SI President, and Benedicta Lasi (NDC, Ghana) was elected for the post of SI Secretary General.

Warm thanks and applause was given for both the outgoing SI President George Papandreou and Secretary General Luis Ayala.

The Congress heard addresses from its member parties on the following themes:

Securing peace and strengthening democracy

Working for equality between women and men

Halting and reversing climate change

Achieving a fair and inclusive economy

Labour rights and digitalisation