It’s 16 months because the final WCF’s Partnership Assembly (PM), which was held in Brussels, when virtually 400 personal sector sustainability leaders, farmers, authorities officers, civil society representatives, and researchers from 31 nations explored the theme: ‘Partnerships for Impression.’
Regardless of representatives from Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana pulling out of the assembly on the final minute in protest towards funds associated to the farmers’ Dwelling Revenue Differential (LID), all events agreed to work collectively to develop options to consolidate the LID and to attain the transition to sustainable cocoa and in addition permit farmers to reap their simply rewards.
Aligning for International Motion
Within the intervening months, the WCF has made progress in uniting stakeholders, sufficient for Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana to attend the assembly subsequent month, which can discover the theme: ‘Aligning for International Motion.’ With a brand new president, Chris Vincent, and modifications to the board on the govt degree, the WCF is in a a lot stronger place today and, in 2023, pushed by extra collaborative programmes, such because the Cocoa & Forests Initiative, addressing different essential areas of cocoa sustainability.
“We are going to enhance concentrate on our position as convenor to reinforce collaboration and partnership between WCF members to maximise our collective impression,” the WCF mentioned.
To proceed strengthening these foundations, the WCF will remind its members and friends that sustainability is the clear crucial of the cocoa sector.
“And but, whilst stakeholders align on requires sustainability, driving progress can appear advanced and elusive. Accelerating sustainability throughout the sector requires all stakeholders to play their roles – and perceive each other’s wants. The forces shaping social, financial, and environmental sustainability for cocoa go properly past the sector itself. And so, sturdy collaboration requires open minds, revolutionary pondering and belief in frequent objectives,” it mentioned on this yr’s programme notes.
Areas that can be lined on this yr’s assembly embrace Measuring Deforestation, Carbon & Program Impression; the brand new EU Deforestation Laws (EUDR); farmer-centric agroforestry initiatives; and carbon and impression measurement within the cocoa sector.
Together with the WCF PM, 2024 will convey two different main cocoa conferences, the Amsterdam Sustainable Cocoa Convention at CHOCOA and the World Cocoa Convention by ICCO. The WCF’s assembly will embrace the primary of a trilogy of farmer revenue methods unfold throughout the three occasions, with the WCF PM specializing in growing and implementing market-based insurance policies to enhance farmers’ incomes.
Be a part of the dialogue
- Register now for this distinctive gathering of your entire cocoa and chocolate sector.
- This essential occasion will happen in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on the Beurs van Berlage on 6-7 February 2024.
- Study extra about Amsterdam Cocoa Week.
Audio system embrace Yves Brahima Koné, Government Director, Conseil du Café Cacao; Michael Ekow Amoah, Deputy Director of Analysis and Improvement, Ghana Cocoa Board; Michel Arrion, Government Director, Worldwide Cocoa Group (ICCO); Paul Davis, Head of Cocoa, SUCDEN & President, European Cocoa Affiliation; Brian McKeon, Senior Vice President of Public Coverage, Nationwide Confectioners Affiliation; Benjamin Asare, Undertaking Supervisor, Fairtrade Africa.
As talked about, this yr’s assembly types a part of Amsterdam Chocolate Week. It’s adopted by the CHOCOA Sustainable Cocoa Convention, which can be held in the identical venue from Thursday, 8 February, to Friday, 9 February.
WCF president Chris Vincent mentioned: “Combining our World Cocoa Basis Partnership Assembly and CHOCOA will propel us into 2024 in thrilling style. It’s going to permit all of us globally throughout the sector to align and discover new methods ahead as we transition towards the shared goal of really sustainable cocoa.”
- Take a look at the complete WCF Partnership Agenda right here.
