COLEACP at the World Banana Forum

The banana is the world’s most exported fruit (around 10 billion US dollars per year). It is an essential source of income and employment for thousands of rural families in developing countries, including African and Caribbean countries*. Since it was established in 1973, COLEACP’s members have included key players from the global banana supply chain. In joining the World Banana Forum (WBF), the association reaffirms its commitment to increasing its activities in this sector which is of high socioeconomic importance for ACP countries.

The WBF brings together the multiple stakeholders from across the global banana supply chain: retailers, importers, producers, exporters, consumer associations, governments, research institutions, trade unions and civil society organisations. It provides a unique platform for them to work together to achieve consensus on best practices for sustainable banana production and trade. The WBF’s mission is twofold :

• To inspire collaboration between stakeholders in order to find pragmatic solutions for the betterment of the banana industry;
• Achieve consensus on best practices regarding workplace issues, gender equity, environmental impact, sustainable production and economic issues.

In joining the WBF, COLEACP adheres to the forum’s principle that collaboration is the key to continuous improvement and will provide its expertise in capacity building sustainable agricultural value chains to the EU-ACP banana sector.

This type of international partnership is in line with the association’s operational strategy and complements synergies and collaborations implemented at local and regional level in ACP countries.

*Source FMB