ISEO 2025 — Overview & Programme

About the Event (ISEO 2025)

Dear Colleagues,

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are honored to invite you to join the “55th International Symposium on Essential Oils (/) to be held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina , at the renowned Hotel Holiday   (www.hotelholiday.ba) from September 7-10, 2025 (ISEO 2025), organized by the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Pharmacy and the  Association of  KKMS, under the auspices of the ISEO Permanent Scientific Committee.

ISEO is a meeting where renowned Invited speakers, academic and industrial scientists and professionals, as partners, come together to discuss the latest research findings focused on essential oils, volatile substances and related natural products. Through thematic sessions,  dialogue and academic networking will be encouraged to facilitate further research, ranging from plant cultivation, analysis, biogenesis, and chemistry to biological activity, synthesis of essential oils bioactive compounds, toxicology, safety, and use of essential oils in aromatherapy, medicine, pharmaceutical industry, food (human and animal), fragrance and cosmetic industries. The ISEO attracts the attention of participants not only from European countries but also from the broader scientific world focusing on essential oils.

ISEO 2025 welcome all colleagues, seniors, and associates to participate in the symposium and present the latest research, exchange experiences, ideas, and their knowledge about essential oils with colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Western Balkan region, and all other participants. Your support in disseminating this information will help ensure a diverse and dynamic group of participants.

We cordially invite and encourage young scientists to apply for  ISEO 2025 Young Scientist Fellowship Award (sponsored by IFEAT) and gain the opportunity, to present their research work to date through oral or poster presentations and benefit from a scientific platform that connects experts from all over the world.

Being with us at ISEO 2025 will be an excellent opportunity to visit Sarajevo, one of the most beautiful and unique cities in Europe, a Meeting point of cultures of East and West. By the National Geographic Travel Readers magazine, between five finalists (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, New Orleans, U.S.A.; Bodrum, Turkey; Cusco, Peru: and Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina), Sarajevo, was chosen as the Best world destination for 2025.

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its metropolis and its largest urban, cultural, economic and traffic center, the capital of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the seat of the Sarajevo Canton. Ever since its foundation, in the middle of the 15^th century, Sarajevo has been developing as a complex urban organism, which, due to its position and urban structure, naturally asserts itself as the economic, political and cultural center of a wider geographical and historically defined area. In this sense, Sarajevo, historically speaking, played a big role not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in wider Balkan and intercontinental relations. Different civilizational and economic flows between the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Central Europe have for centuries followed a route across the Balkans. For hundreds of years, Sarajevo as a city has been a bridge of cooperation between East and West, a place of mutual exchange of goods and experiences. This is evidenced by numerous mosques, various churches, synagogues, confessional schools and other religious buildings that have been around since the 16^th century naturally woven into its urban structure. The Miljacka River flows through the city, and in the immediate vicinity of the city is the source of the Bosna River, with the popular excursion destination Vrelo Bosne. Around the city are the Olympic mountains: Jahorina, Bjelašnica, Igman, Treskavica and Trebević, which are especially popular destinations for tourists from all over the world during the winter months. Sarajevo is the leading political, social and cultural center in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a prominent cultural center in the Balkans. In 1984 the city hosted the 14^th Winter Olympics. During the early 1990s, the city was frequently on the front pages of newspapers around the world, as it was the site of one of the bloodiest wars in recent European history. The city was under constant siege for 1,425 days. The attacks killed 11,541 people of all nationalities, including 1,601 children, and injured nearly 50,000. Today, in a time of post-war reconstruction, Sarajevo is the fastest growing city in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On the final day of the symposium, the „ISEO2025 trip“ will be an opportunity to learn more about other natural, historical, and tourist attractions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Visit Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Mostar, Stolac)

Bosnia and Herzegovina is  also known for its long tradition in collecting and cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants. The biodiversity of medicinal and aromatic plants and their quality have made BiH recognizable and highly competitive on the international market, as confirmed by excellent export results. The abundance of quality plant raw materials has stimulated the production of essential oils, which has grown dramatically in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the last 10 years. Our oils of immortelle, sage, lemon balm, chamomile, laurel, juniper, lavender, heather, mint, thyme and rosemary are extremely popular and in demand worldwide. A number of companies have specialized in the production of essential oils of conifers such as black pine, Scots pine, common fir and spruce. On plant cultivation and production of essential oils, the production of various products based on essential oils, such as medicinal ones, is supported preparations, natural cosmetics, hygiene and other products, which completes the raw-final process products. Our products have found their place on the increasingly demanding world market and this is how this sector has become very important for the economic growth and development of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Looking forward to meet you and many from your scientific group at the symposium in Sarajevo. Together, we can make ISEO 2025 a remarkable experience for everyone involved.

Prof. Hurija Džudžević-Čančar,

Chairperson  of the ISEO2025 Organizing Committee