4C Association introduces new governance structure

  The 4C Association announced on 3 October a new governance structure that will see 11 council members represent the tri-partite membership structure of the 4C Association. The restructure took place following the group’s third General Assembly, held in Geneva, Switzerland from 26 – 27 September. Under the motto “Take-off for Delivery”, the gathering brought together key stakeholders from around the world to discuss and define the future direction of the 4C Association and its baseline standard for sustainable coffee. The 4C Association noted that it has experienced tremendous growth in membership since its last General Assembly – from fewer than 140 members three years ago to the current 221 members. “Today, the majority of the coffee industry’s key players, from producers to traders, roasters and civil society actors are represented in this unique and flourishing roundtable effort,” the 4C Association said in a statement. The association noted that major companies, including Mondelēz International, Nestlé, Tchibo and Strauss, have publicly committed to purchasing more coffee that meets the 4C baseline standard. Following the General Assembly, the 4C Association announced the basis for a three-year delivery plan to boost volumes of 4C Compliant Coffee while maintaining the credibility of the 4C system. In addition to the new governance structure, the 4C noted it would work to strengthen collaboration with other sustainability standards, including 4C Members Fairtrade International, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ Certified which will help to scale up the volume of sustainably produced coffee. “With the new business model in place, the new governance structure and the newly-elected Council we are now in an excellent position to define a Three-year Plan that will ensure the Association is taking- off for delivery,” said Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, the newly elected Chairman of the 4C Council and Board Member of the African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA). “The Third General Assembly was a unique event in the sense that it provided the opportunity for many members to meet other members in person for the first time, exchange ideas and make important decisions that will shape the future work of the 4C Association.”