Training and Information Programmes

The promotion of training and information programmes designed to assist the transfer to Members of technology relevant to coffee is an important new objective in the International Coffee Agreement 2001. By providing experts for workshops and programmes covering different aspects of coffee, publishing studies and facilitating a global research network on coffee the ICO contributes to capacity-building in developing countries.

Conferences and workshops

Since 2001, the following ICO conferences and workshops have been organized, with copies of the presentations and reports posted on the ICO Website (see the meetings/events section), to ensure wide dissemination of information.  

• 1^st World Coffee Conference (May 2001)
• Electronic commerce and coffee workshop (October 2001)
• High-level ICO/World Bank Round Table on the coffee crisis (May 2003)
• Coffee and health seminar (Colombia, September 2003)
• Round table on equitable trading and coffee (May 2004)
• Genetically Modified coffee seminar (May 2005) 
• 2nd World Coffee Conference (Brazil, September 2005)
• NRI/ICO/CFC Workshop on potential for diversification of exporting countries (May 2006)
• CFC/ICO Workshop on future coffee development priorities (September 2006)
• Seminar on geographical indications (May 2008)
• Seminar on Coffee Berry Borer (March 2009)
• Workshop on Consultative Forum on coffee sector finance (September 2009)
• World Coffee Conference 2010 (February 2010)

Cooperating with other organizations

Where possible, the ICO works with other organizations to achieve synergies and ensure efficient use of resources. Through a Memorandum of Understanding concluded in 2000 with the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (ITC), the ICO and ITC have combined their efforts with a view to helping developing coffee producing countries. Examples of this cooperation are a workshop on e-commerce, held to inform Members about the different systems available and potential benefits for the coffee sector.

Coffee exporters' guide

Another example of this cooperation is the publication of an updated coffee exporters’ guide. Compiled in cooperation with the Organization and with the assistance of almost 100 organizations, companies and individuals, the 330-page guide emphasizes trade practices of relevance to exporters in coffee producing countries. As well as statistics and comments on the trade in coffee for both producing and consuming countries, the guide covers new trends in the coffee trade: electronic commerce, niche markets, organic and fair trade labelling, codes of conduct and environmental issues, and comes with a bookmark listing useful Website addresses for the coffee sector.  A website version of the Coffee Guide was launched in 2005 and can be consulted at www.thecoffeeguide.org. 

A Memorandum of Cooperation signed with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in September 2004 (document ICC-91-7) is another example of synergies with international organizations which will enable the ICO to cooperate with the FAO on areas such as global developmental objectives and technical assistance for ICO Members – for example on capacity building in statistical data handling. 

The library facilities of the Organization are also available to Members for in-depth research on coffee matters.

Technical presentations

Technical presentations are arranged for Members during regular meetings of the ICO Executive Board and Council. These cover a range of topics, from industry coffee and health programmes to new directives affecting coffee and can be downloaded from the ICO website (under the technical presentations category of the documents section).

Economic studies and reports

Economic studies and reports on topics such as risk management for coffee price fluctuations are published on a regular basis, while many ICO sponsored coffee development projects such as the project to prevent coffee wilt disease include information and training components to assist farmers in enhancing productivity and competitiveness.