REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NUSA DUA -- The global sustainable cocoa community convenes here on May 15-16 for the Sixth Indonesian International Cocoa Conference and the 25th World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) partnership meeting.

The unprecedented collaboration between the conference co-hosts the Indonesian Cocoa Association (ASKINDO) and the WCF will bring together leaders in sustainability from across the cocoa supply chain, WCF President Bill Guyton said on Thursday.

The event's theme is "Empowering Smallholders for a Sustainable Cocoa Industry."

Bill Guyton, WCF president, said, "WCF and ASKINDO have in common the goal of improving cocoa farmers' livelihoods. We are honored to be working together to further sustainable cocoa production in Southeast Asia and around the world." Represented at the conference are members of the chocolate and cocoa industry, governments, NGOs, academia and worldwide research institutes.

Conference speakers feature top sustainability experts from cocoa companies, cocoa-producing country governments, and academia, including Muhammad Lutfi, Indonesian minister of trade; Suswono, Indonesian minister of agriculture; Frank Mars, president of Mars Symbioscience; and Nicko Debenham, World Cocoa Foundation chairman and vice-president of cocoa sustainability at Barry Callebaut.

The other speakers are Zulhefi Sikumbang, chairman of the Indonesian Cocoa Association; Gerry Manley, chairman of the Federation of Cocoa Commerce; Brandon Tay, chairman of the Cocoa Association of Asia; Jos de Loor, president of Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate; Bill Guyton, World Cocoa Foundation president; and Jean-Marc Anga, executive director of the International Cocoa Organization.

The topics that will be discussed in different sessions include farm rehabilitation, cocoa market trends, sustainability and certification, emerging producers, African cocoa production perspectives, emerging cocoa producers in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, South American cocoa sector developments, and financial management of cocoa farming.

Sponsors for the event include Barry Callebaut, BT Cocoa, Cargill, Guan Chong, Mars Incorporated, Mondelez International, Olam International Limited, Touton, and Transmar Group. Simultaneous English/Bahasa Indonesia translation will be available throughout the event.

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is an international membership foundation that promotes a sustainable cocoa economy by providing cocoa farmers with the tools they need to grow more and better cocoa, market it successfully and make greater profits.

WCF's membership includes cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, processors, supply chain managers, and other companies worldwide, representing more than 80 percent of the global cocoa market.

The Indonesian Cocoa Association (INCA) is an organization committed to representing cocoa society in Indonesia. Established in 1989, INCA includes all segments of cocoa business: growers/farmers, traders, exporters, and processing industries. INCA's Central Board Secretariat is located in Jakarta, with regional offices in six provinces throughout Indonesia. Today, INCA's membership extends to 96 members.

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