The Chair of the Standing Committee of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), Ms. Cecilia Marincioni of Argentina, presents her compliments to members of the press covering cotton and agricultural issues and has the honor to extend an invitation to their news organizations to be represented as observers at the 67th Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee to be held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, November 17-21, 2008, at the invitation of the Government of Burkina Faso.
The theme of the 67th Plenary Meeting will be “Technologies for Cotton Development.” Sessions and workshops are planned to discuss important cotton issues concerning the roles of government and the private sector in technology transfer; lessons from implementation of biotechnology; social, environmental and economic performance of cotton; the supply and demand outlook; multilateral trade negotiations; standardization of trade rules; international year of natural fibers; the implications of rising energy costs; ginning developments; and competitiveness of African production. A technical seminar will be conducted on improving sustainability of cotton production in Africa.
The International Cotton Advisory Committee is an association of governments having an interest in the production, export, import, and consumption of cotton. It is an organization designed to promote cooperation in cotton affairs, particularly those of international scope and significance. It affords its members an understanding of the world cotton situation and provides a forum for international consultation and discussion.
The Committee has consultative status with the U.N. and its specialized agencies and cooperates closely with other international organizations in matters of common interest. Current members of the ICAC are the governments of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, China (Taiwan), Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Mali, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, the UK, the USA, Uzbekistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
