Sustainability the central theme at annual cotton conference

Cotton growing and processing are highly resource-intensive activities, with an enormous potential impact on humans and the environment. As the host of the cotton industry's annual conference, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) took as its central theme "Shaping sustainability in the cotton value chain". The 71st Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) started with a speech by State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, Director of SECO, who underscored the importance of sustainability in the cotton value chain, not only to create added value in ethical terms but also as a potential source of lucrative business ideas. She noted that some of the best examples of this were to be found in Switzerland, where sustainably produced cotton textiles have conquered the market. Until 12 October, over 500 representatives of government, production and trade as well as international and not-for-profit organisations will meet at the Congress Centre Kursaal Interlaken to discuss how sustainability can be improved in the global cotton value chain. Looking at the entire value chain, they will assess the criteria for sustainability and exchange their experience with various sustainability initiatives in the cotton industry. The conference will end with a tour of some of the main points of interest in the Swiss textile industry. The objective is to establish sustainability as a key value driver in the cotton industry. Apart from its role as an international cotton trading hub, Switzerland also takes the lead in sustainability and human rights issues by supporting initiatives and projects in this respect in cotton-producing countries. For example, within the scope of economic cooperation and development, SECO is working to strengthen and improve the standards of negotiation in the "Cotton Four" countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad), giving cotton exporters a sounder basis for defending their interests in the WTO Doha Round. SECO also finances projects in Kyrgyzstan and West Africa with a view to making local value chains more sustainable, i.e. in compliance with specific quality, environmental and social criteria for organic farming and fair trade. Finally, SECO supports a number of global initiatives and innovative multi-stakeholder campaigns, such as the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). The ICAC was established in 1939 and is one of the oldest international commodity committees. Comprising 41 cotton-producing, consuming and trading countries, the organisation assists governments in fostering a healthy world cotton economy. Its role is to raise awareness and promote international cooperation, compile statistics and publish technical information as well as forecasts on cotton and textile markets. The ICAC also serves as a forum for discussion of cotton issues of international significance.