The Executive Director of the International Coconut Community (ICC), Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw recently had a productive visit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative Government of Thailand. The prime focus of the visit was discussions around the 59th Session and Ministerial Meeting of the ICC, which is slated to be held in Bangkok.
The Executive Director, Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw was received warmly by the Directorate General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative Government of Thailand, Mr. Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs and the team. The Executive Director and Mr. Chandarasrivongs had fruitful discussions about the upcoming Session and Ministerial Meeting. The Director General agreed enthusiastically to host the session in Bangkok, which will see the attendance of representatives from 20 member countries of the ICC.
59th Session and Ministerial Meeting
After hosted by government of Tonga in 2022, the Session and Ministerial Meeting of ICC in 2023 will be hosted by Government of Thailand with key aspects of reviewing country’s report of Coconut Industry of Member Countries, report of ICC programs, purposed ICC program in 2024, proposed budget CY2024, decisions on discussion from review committee meeting and other matters. Apart from regular agendas, the upcoming meeting will delve into important topics such as sustainable development and the production of sustainable coconut products. Other key issues include the topic of carbon credits and the rise of biodegradable products in the coconut industry.
Monkey Free Plus Project: A Priority
Another major point of discussion was the Monkey Free Plus project. Mr. Chandarasrivongs expressed keen interest in having further meetings on this subject with related organizations, embassies, and NGOs, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The objective is to highlight the efforts Thailand has made towards implementing the Monkey Free Plus project and to promote recognition for the country's commitment to ethical and sustainable coconut harvesting practices.
This visit marks a significant step forward for the ICC and its member countries, setting the stage for future discussions on sustainability, ethical practices, and industry innovations. The ICC is excited about the upcoming 59th Session and Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok and anticipates fruitful discussions that will further strengthen the international coconut community.