IWCA Highlights Coffee Producer Challenges at Inter-Regional Forum

IWCA participated in the recent Inter-Regional Forum "Hacia el Ingreso Digno de los Productores" (Inter-Regional Forum for Dignified Income of Coffee Producers) held in Antigua, Guatemala. This pivotal event, organized by the Center of Coffee Information Promecafe, spanned two days and featured an array of international delegates.

Sponsored by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the forum brought together key representatives from the global coffee sector, including the International Coffee Organization (ICO) Task Force on Prosperous Living Income, the Inter-African Coffee Organization (IACO), and the executive director of the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA). Participants from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Central America, and Jamaica also joined the discussions, reflecting a wide geographic representation.

Pacita Juan, President of the IWCA Philippines chapter and recent appointee to the IWCA Board of Directors, represented the Asian Coffee Federation at the forum. Her expertise and leadership are invaluable assets to IWCA, enhancing our growth and influence within the global coffee community. Her active participation highlights IWCA's crucial role in shaping international coffee dialogue and practices.

During the panel discussions, both Pacita Juan and Blanca Castro, IWCA's Executive Director, provided insights into the production side of the coffee industry. Their participation focused on addressing the critical challenges coffee producers face in their regions, including the effects of European Union regulations and climate change on production. Juan also had the opportunity to meet and connect with IWCA Guatemala leaders.

The event served as a significant platform for addressing the challenges coffee producers face in achieving a dignified income, fostering a deeper understanding among the various stakeholders about the necessity for sustainable practices and equitable growth in the coffee industry.

The forum's collaborative approach and the participation of entities like IWCA play a vital role in moving towards a more sustainable and equitable coffee industry, ensuring that the voices of coffee producers are heard and their livelihoods are supported globally.