The ICO World Coffee Conference 2010 took place in Guatemala from 26 to 28 February 2010, chaired by the President of Guatemala, H.E. Mr. Alvaro Colom Caballeros. It brought together over 1,400 coffee growers and representatives from government, the private sector and international agencies from the 76 Member countries of the ICO.

The Conference was inaugurated by the President of Guatemala, with the participation of the President of Honduras, H.E. Mr Porfirio Lobo.  The President of El Salvador, H.E. Mr Carlos Mauricio Funes, participated in the Closing Ceremony.  Also in attendance at the Opening Ceremony were the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, the Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities, the President of Anacafe, the ICO Executive Director, the Chairman of the International Coffee Council and Ministers of Agriculture from ICO Member countries.

The main theme was “Coffee for the future:  towards a sustainable coffee sector” and over 30 high-level speakers spoke on issues ranging from changes and trends in world supply and demand to environmental and social sustainability.  The preliminary conclusions of the Conference were presented at the closing ceremony on 28 February 2010.  The International Coffee Council will review the outcome of the Conference at its 104th Session from 1-4 March 2010.

During the Opening Ceremony, the Presidents of Guatemala and Honduras made welcome addresses, followed by speeches by the ICO Executive Director and representatives of the CFC,UNCTAD and Anacafe. 

 Copies of their speeches are or will be available soon from the following link: World Coffee Conference 2010