The Italian Permanent Representation to the UN Agencies in Rome, the Permanent Representation of Switzerland to the UN Agencies in Rome and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT are pleased to invite you to the webinar “How do you like Cocoa and Coffee? Saving crops, protecting culture, sustaining livelihoods.”
This online event is part of the initiative “Mediterranean Diet’s Principles for Agenda 2030”, a series of thematic sessions promoted by the Italian Permanent Representation that aim to raise awareness on how the Mediterranean Diet can help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
DATE: 8 SEPTEMBER 2020
TIME: 15:00 – 16.30 CEST
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A rich cup of coffee and a flavorsome piece of chocolate are two of life’s little pleasures. What if someone told you that they could soon become a rarity? Cocoa and coffee are among the world’s most threatened crops. Global warming, deforestation, pests and diseases and loss of pollinators are compromising production, contributing to their decline. Without appropriate conservation mechanisms, monitoring and seed preservation measures, these crops could become a thing of the past in many regions of the world.
Beyond the environmental implications, drastic declines in cocoa and coffee production would mean losing the cultural heritage behind these two crops. Their cultural value goes well beyond their centers of origin, and extends to the entire world, including to the Mediterranean region. While being exotic crops to this area, cocoa and coffee are integral part of the culinary culture of the Mediterranean basin, where they are consumed and used daily in food manufacturing, confectionery and in our own kitchens. Without them, many of our traditional food and beverage recipes would be lost and with them the related traditions and cultural value.
There is a livelihoods side of the story: about 70% of the world’s coffee and 90% of global cocoa supply come from smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Adding to the effects of climate change, pests and diseases, the recent COVID-19 crisis is putting further pressure on their livelihoods. Due to the prolonged global lockdown, the demand for cocoa and coffee has plunged, bringing down prices for the past three months. As a result, countries that rely on coffee or cocoa as major sectors of the economy could see a significant decrease in their GDP. With cocoa and coffee production concentrated in some of the poorest parts of the world, securing higher and more sustainable yields can be a lifeline out of poverty for farm households and rural communities.
The event aims to:
Consider the contribution of cocoa and coffee production to the world’s economy and the implications of projected drastic declines in their availability over the next 30-40 years;Present tools, approaches and innovations to preserve and promote cocoa and coffee diversity to strengthen smallholders’ livelihoods and ensure functioning supply chains;Present best practices and approaches to better connect cocoa and coffee producers and consumers and improve market opportunities for smallholders.
Agenda
Moderator: Romano De Vivo, Center for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of Zurich
TIME
SESSION
15:00-15.10
Opening remarks
H.E. Vincenza Lomonaco, Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN Agencies in RomeH.E. Pio Wennubst, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN Agencies in Rome
· Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
15:10-15:20
Keynote speeches
Michele Nardella, Director of the Economics and Statistics Division, International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)International Coffee Organization (ICO) – TBC
15:20-16:05
Interactive session
Session 1: How do we ensure resilient livelihoods from cocoa and coffee?
Stephan Weise, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIATSandra Corsi, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – TBCMonika Schneider, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)H.E. Massimo Riccardo, Italian Permanent Representative at UNESCOMariela Meléndez, ANACAFE Guatemala – TBC
Session 2: What best practices can we use to preserve cocoa and coffee for future generations?
Riccardo Mazzucchelli, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsAnita Böhlen, Chocolats Halba SwitzerlandBrigitte Laliberté, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIATMario Cerutti, Lavazza and European Coffee Federation
16:05-16:25
Q&A
16:25-16.30
Closing remarks
H.E. Vincenza Lomonaco, Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN Agencies in Rome
