ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Opening the second-phase of the 64th Inter-Africa Coffee Organization (IACO) annual meetings and High-level policy forum in Addis Ababa, the Chairman and Ethiopian Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente, said Ethiopia takes an immense stride in its enduring legacy as a global leader in the coffee sector.
As Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, the Chairman emphasized this commodity is far more than an economic crop, adding that it is a cultural symbol and a pillar of the nation’s economy.
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to play a leading role in shaping Africa’s coffee industry and addressing the global challenge it faces.”
For the chairman, Ethiopia has consistently championed in efforts over the years to improve the productivity, quality and market accessibility of African coffee.
Stating that Climate change, price volatility and regulatory frameworks among others as the challenges of Africa’s coffee sector, he said Ethiopia continues to provide leadership in ensuring that Africa coffee remains competitive at the global stage.
Moreover, he added that as a host of IACO’s 64th annual meeting, we are determined to foster meaningful dialogue and action that benefits all.
