Some of the world’s largest coffee roasters and traders have signed an historic declaration on the economic sustainability of the world coffee sector, following the first edition of the CEO and Global Leaders Forum organised by the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
Sitting as a special session of the ICO’s Private Sector Consultative Board, the forum marked the sixth consultative event in the structured sector-wide dialogue led by the to address the coffee price crisis and long-term sustainability of the coffee sector.
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The ICO says this is the first time that major private sector actors across the coffee value chain have come together to agree to jointly implement solutions in a spirit of shared responsibility, thereby contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations.
To date, the following private sector representatives have signed a Declaration of Intent to commit to concrete shared and individual time-bound actions:
- illycaffè,
- Jacobs Douwe Egberts,
- Lavazza,
- Mercon,
- Nestlé,
- Neumann Kaffee Gruppe,
- Olam,
- Starbucks,
- Sucafina,
- Tchibo, and
- Volcafe.
The Declaration is also supported by the:
- Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Producers,
- Fairtrade International,
- Global Coffee Platform,
- Hanns R Neumann Stiftung,
- IDH the Sustainable Trade Initiative,
- National Coffee Association,
- Oikocredit,
- Rainforest Alliance,
- Rusteacoffee,
- Specialty Coffee Association, and
- Sustainable Coffee Challenge.
Referred to as the London Declaration, all signatories and supporting organisations commit to taking action focusing on four themes – promoting competitive and sustainable production, fostering responsible and equitable growth, promoting responsible consumption, and promoting public-private dialogue regarding policy development.
Also set out is a further commitment to take immediate action before the next meeting of the CEO and Global Leaders Forum, to establish market and supply chain information systems, actively participate in national dialogues, and promote the allocation of resources.
The London Declaration will now be considered at the 125th Session of the International Coffee Council meeting from 23 to 27 September.
The London Declaration is available at www.ico.org/documents/cy2018-19/pscb-161e-london-declaration.pdf