The International Coffee Organisation (ICO) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
The signing, which took place at the ICO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom, signifies a shared commitment to advancing cooperation within the global coffee industry while reaching new heights in coffee sustainability and education.
“Promoting comprehensive training is not just a necessity; it is one of the most important elements to fuel the future of the coffee sector,” says ICO Executive Director Vanúsia Nogueira.
The MoU sets out to design and implement interventions that will benefit coffee stakeholders worldwide through knowledge-sharing, education, and capacity building.
“Education and skills development are the keys to unlocking the full potential of our industry, ensuring a robust foundation for sustainable growth, fostering innovation, and empowering every actor in the value chain, from bean to cup,” says Nogueira.
Under the memorandum, both organisations have committed to create training programs and foster skill development across diverse segments of the coffee value chain, from production and trade through to roasting, brewing, and preparation methods.
“Today’s signature marks a significant stride towards sustainability by creating new opportunities for knowledge transfer across the coffee sector,” says SCA CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos.
The MoU also aims to empower producer organisations to access specialty coffee and embrace higher-value trading models through the use of the SCA Coffee Value Assessment, and its tools.
“The SCA is committed to supporting institutions, organisations, and platforms in the coffee sector who are dedicated to building an equitable and sustainable industry, and the association believes that collaborative and diverse approaches, like this partnership with the ICO, will play a crucial role in making the rewards of the specialty coffee segment accessible worldwide,” says Apostolopoulos.
Having collaborated on numerous initiatives over the years, the SCA and ICO aim to harness their combined outreach and expertise through this MoU.
For more information, visit www.icocoffee.org
