In a new spirit of collaboration, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) has announced its landmark International Coffee Agreement 2022.
The agreement formally welcomes to the table for the first time in 60 years the world’s biggest coffee retailers, roasters and manufacturers, together with coffee farmers.
“We are entering a new era of cooperation with the private sector thanks to the landmark International Coffee Agreement 2022,” says Vanusia Nogueira, who joined in May as ICO’s first female Executive Director.
“The arrival of the world’s biggest high-street names and manufacturers as well as smallholders means that the whole coffee value chain can now address the biggest challenges facing the global sector in a way that is fair for all.”
Going forward, the private sector and civil society will participate as Affiliate Members in key discussions and decisions on the sustainable future of global coffee affairs with 75 coffee producing and importing nations, ICO Member Governments.
The goal of the Agreement is to find new ways to improve conditions in an over US$300 billion-a-year industry that provides a livelihood for millions of people from farmers to baristas across the world.
“Ultimately, we want to create a brighter future for millions of coffee farmers by adhering to the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals and work for more transparency, quality and fair pricing for billions of consumers. The new Agreement is a huge step in this direction,” Nogueira adds.
The ICO says this will benefit producers across 50 countries as coffee growers and their associations will be able to raise their concerns directly with retailers and manufacturers.
The new Agreement also gives a clear and firm mandate to the ICO Secretariat to assist Members in putting together coffee sector development projects and mobilising resources in areas such as pest and disease control, climate change adaptation among other mitigating strategies.
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