WASHINGTON D.C. , US – Join global leaders for a 2-day meeting to explore the status of sustainability in the chocolate and cocoa sector. The meeting, hosted by the World Cocoa Foundation ( WCF ), will feature prominent speakers from the chocolate and cocoa sector, including prominent Dominican public and private sector representatives.
WHAT: WCF 24th Partnership Meeting & Cocoa Sustainability Trade Fair. The agenda features topics including the Dominican Republic’s cocoa sector transformations, gender, trends in specialty cocoas, agroforestry, cocoa genetics, technological advances, Latin America’s role in the global cocoa sector and more. Perspectives on sustainability from other agricultural sectors will also be part of the discussion.
WHEN: October 15 – 16, 2013
WHERE: Hotel Occidental El Embajador, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
WHO: Representatives from industry, government, development organizations, and research institutes who are interested in cocoa sustainability are invited to register for the event. Speaking at the event include Luis Ramón Rodríguez, Minister of Agriculture for the Dominican Republic; Dr. Jose Antonio Martinez Rojas, Comision Nacional del Cacao; Reynaldo Ferreiras, Rizek Cacao; Nicko Debenham, Armajaro; Chris McGrath, Mondelēz International; Daudi Lelijveld, Barry Callebaut; Bill Guyton, World Cocoa Foundation; and more. Event sponsors include: Barry Callebaut; Cargill; Mondelēz International; ADM Cocoa; The Hershey Company; Armajaro; Ferrero; Rizek Cacao ; Roig Agro-Cacao; and Transmar Group; with support from Dominican Republic Export & Investment Center (CEI-RD); Cortés; Grupo Conacado; Manufacturing Confectioner magazine; and Olam.
MEDIA: Members of the media are encouraged to attend. Advance registration is required. Journalists interested in attending the Partnership Meeting should send an email to Jackie.Marks@worldcocoa.org describing intent to cover the meeting, including media outlet and contact details. The Partnership Meeting is the largest of numerous events the World Cocoa Foundation ( WCF ) holds each year to advance cocoa sustainability understanding, collaboration and programs. The meeting is followed by a field trip to nearby cocoa farms. Pre-registration for the event is recommended. For more information: worldcocoafoundation.org/wcf-partnership-meeting/.
About WCF
WCF is an international membership foundation of more than 100 companies that promotes a sustainable cocoa economy by providing cocoa farmers with the tools they need to grow more and better cocoa, market it successfully, and make greater profits. WCF’s membership includes cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, processors, supply chain managers, and other companies worldwide, representing more than 80 percent of the global cocoa market. For more information, visit www.worldcocoa.org and follow us on Twitter.com/WorldCocoa.
