What does ICO mean in UNCLASSIFIED

Background

The International Coffee Organization (ICO) was established in 1963 at a conference held by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Its mandate was to “stimulate production and consumption of coffee throughout the world”. It was founded with 26 members including countries that produce, export, or import coffee. The aim of this intergovernmental body is to improve conditions for all producers, traders, and consumers of coffee in order to ensure sustainable development of the sector as a whole.

Goals & Activities

The core objective of the ICO is to promote international cooperation among its members in order to establish mutually beneficial relationships between suppliers and buyers. It also works closely with governments and development organizations such as FAO to reduce poverty among small-scale farmers by improving their access to markets and resources. The organization supports research into various aspects of the sector such as quality assurance systems, sustainability initiatives like Fairtrade certification schemes, market trends analysis, and product diversification efforts.

To implement its strategies effectively and foster a sense of partnership within its network of stakeholders, the ICO holds regular meetings that bring together representatives from government agencies, civil society groups, researchers, private sector companies involved in production or trade activities related to coffee. It also serves as an information hub on matters relating to international trade law governing the sale and purchase of green beans as well as brewing technology innovations.