International Coffee Organization

International Coffee Organization

Abbreviation	ICO
Formation	1963
Type	Intergovernmental organization
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Membership	49 member countries
Executive Director	José Dauster Sette

The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to strengthening the global coffee sector and promoting its sustainable development. Established in 1963, the ICO serves as a forum for international cooperation on coffee matters, bringing together exporting and importing governments to address challenges and opportunities in the coffee industry.

History

The ICO was established in 1963 under the auspices of the United Nations to administer the provisions of the International Coffee Agreement (ICA). The ICA was designed to stabilize coffee prices and ensure a fair return for coffee producers. Over the years, the ICO has evolved to address various issues affecting the coffee sector, including sustainability, quality improvement, and market transparency.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the ICO are:

• To promote international cooperation on coffee matters.
• To provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas on coffee.
• To promote the sustainable development of the coffee sector.
• To improve the living standards of coffee producers.
• To facilitate the expansion and transparency of the international coffee market.

Structure

The ICO is governed by the International Coffee Council, which is composed of representatives from member countries. The Council meets twice a year to discuss and make decisions on key issues affecting the coffee sector. The ICO's day-to-day operations are managed by the Executive Director and the Secretariat, based in London.

Membership

The ICO has 49 member countries, including both coffee-exporting and coffee-importing nations. Membership is open to any country that is willing to adhere to the provisions of the International Coffee Agreement.

Activities

The ICO undertakes a range of activities to support the global coffee sector, including:

• Conducting research and providing statistical data on coffee production, consumption, and trade.
• Organizing conferences, workshops, and seminars on coffee-related topics.
• Promoting coffee quality improvement and sustainability initiatives.
• Facilitating market transparency and information exchange.
• Supporting projects and programs that benefit coffee producers and the coffee industry as a whole.

Related Pages

• Coffee
• Fair trade coffee
• Coffee production
• Coffeehouse
• Specialty coffee

See Also

• United Nations
• World Trade Organization
• Food and Agriculture Organization