Andrea Illy, Chairman and CEO of illycaffè, has been appointed Chairman of the Promotion and Market Development Committee of the International Coffee Organisation (ICO). Announced on 20 April, the new program developed by Andrea will strengthen ICO’s role in promoting coffee by engaging a broader network of stakeholders made of coffee growers, roasters, institutions and retailers. The new committee will aim to improve and spread coffee culture by enhancing its qualities and emphasising the importance of a sustainable approach along the productive chain. In addition, coffee producers, especially from emerging countries, will get support to improve economic growth, by training coffee growers and cooperating with institutions and non-governmental organisations that deal with agriculture. Andrea has been committed to the coffee industry for the past 20 years. He first joined illycaffè in 1990, was named Chairman of the board of directors in 1997 and has been a member and Chairman of the Associazione Scientifica Internazionale del Caffè (ASIC) since 1999.
