To shift the focus back to cocoa’s roots, the emphasis will be on ‘South-South’ exchanges when more than 400 stakeholders from over 40 countries—representing the entire cocoa supply chain—will gather in São Paulo to tackle the sector's urgent challenges.
With the theme ‘Our Future: Resilience Through Sustainability’, this premier event, for which cocoaradar.com is the official media partner, promises dynamic discussions and actionable insights.
Formidable challenges ahead for the cocoa sector
The cocoa sector faces formidable challenges: climate change, disease, declining productivity, evolving regulation, supply deficits and market volatility.
Against this backdrop, the WCF Partnership Meeting promises to highlight the pressing need for sustainable practices to develop individual and collective resilience and ensure the future of cocoa farming and the broader industry.
These themes will resonate prominently in the broader global discourse on climate action, including those expected at COP30, also held in Brazil later this year, in the city of Belém.
“Given the challenges and the pace of the changes reshaping the global cocoa sector, this is a pivotal moment to bring leaders together to discuss and find common solutions,” said Chris Vincent, president of the WCF. “We are thrilled to host this year’s event in Brazil, a country uniquely positioned to inspire new ideas, foster South-South exchanges and showcase innovations in sustainable agriculture.”
Shared cocoa expertise from all over the world
As part of a 'Global South-South Exchange', the meeting’s location in Brazil offers a unique platform for sharing expertise between cocoa-producing nations worldwide and Brazil’s diverse agricultural systems.
Delegates, including cocoa farmers, will explore innovative practices employed by smallholders and large-scale mechanised producers. There will also be the opportunity to participate in post-meeting field visits and connect directly with Brazilian cocoa growers.
Key speakers already confirmed for São Paulo include:
Vinicius Ahmar, Bioeconomy Manager, Arapyaú Institute
Michel Arrion, Executive Director, International Cocoa Organization
Eduardo Bastos, Executive Director, Brazilian Agribusiness Association (ABAG)
Marcello Brito, Executive Secretary, Legal Amazon Consortium of States
Sarah Dekkiche, Director of Policy and Partnerships, International Cocoa Initiative (ICI)
Michael Ekow Amoah, Deputy Director Research and Development, Ghana Cocoa Board
Santiago Gowland, CEO, Rainforest Alliance
Anna Paula Losi, Executive President, Brazilian Association of Cocoa Processing Industries
Jaime Recena, Executive President, Brazilian Association of Chocolate, Confectionery, and Peanut Industries (ABICAB)
Aldo Soto, Co-founder, Amazonia Impact Ventures
Marcello Brito, executive secretary, Legal Amazon Consortium of States, who will make an address on macroeconomic impacts on commodity markets, said: “I’m excited to engage with stakeholders from across the globe. This is an unparalleled opportunity for collaboration between cocoa countries, in Latin America, West Africa and Asia, to explore opportunities and build an aligned agenda to address common challenges, especially those related to climate, forest conservation, farmer income and human rights."
Throughout two days of high-level talks, critical topics on the agenda will include:
- Transforming Cocoa Supply Chains: Delving into traceability, sustainability and agroforestry as ethical and climate-resilient cocoa sourcing pillars.
- Modern Farming Innovations: Experts will share advancements in disease management, mechanisation, on-farm investments and technical assistance.
- Sector-Wide Impact Measurement: Unveiling new tools for standardised metrics like household income, deforestation risk and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Market Insights: Industry leaders will examine supply chain disruptions, market dynamics and lessons from other commodities.
- Regulatory Adaptation: Policymakers will address the effects of emerging regulations and strategies for harmonising compliance while advancing sustainability goals.
- Consumer Markets and Preferences: Reviewing the impact of high cocoa prices on the competitive position of chocolate on the consumer market.
Registration and more information:
- WCFPM25: São Paulo, Brazil on 19 – 20 March, Tivoli Mofarrej São Paulo Hotel. Registration is now open, with discounted tickets available until 20 January. For the full agenda and event details, visit the WCF website.
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