Indonesia Committed to Supporting Global Coffee Farmers Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 6 Juni 2020
Category: News
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Indonesian Representative attends the International Coffee Council meeting. (Photo by: Public Relations of Ministry of Trade)

Indonesia is committed to helping coffee farmers across the globe face challenges amid the COVID-19 crisis, especially during the country’s chairmanship of the International Coffee Organization (ICO).

Director General of International Trade Negotiations at Ministry of Trade Iman Pambagyo, who is also Chairperson of the International Coffee Organization, made the statement during the 126th International Coffee Council virtual meeting on Friday (5/6).

The meeting was part of a series of the International Coffee Organization meetings, which was held virtually from 1 to 5 June 2020.

This year’s meeting adopts the theme “Building a Sustainable Global Coffee Industry Together”.

“As chairperson of the board, we emphasize that coffee is one of the most important agricultural commodities that moves the economy in various countries, including Indonesia, through job creation and poverty alleviation,” Iman said.

According to Iman, this is closely related to achievement of the objectives of the Sustainable Development Agenda supported in a balanced manner by three pillars, including economic, social, and environmental pillars.

Iman added that the meeting is also aimed at seeking agreement among the ICO members regarding recommendations and policy decisions for all member countries.

He also said that the meeting is also aimed at strengthening collaboration between the ICO and development agencies or donors, international organizations, as well as private sector to join hands resolving various challenges facing the coffee sector.

On that occasion, Iman said that Indonesia’s leadership in the ICO Council is important since it reflects the world’s trust in Indonesia to encourage economic sustainability of the coffee sector through partnerships between the Government, farmers, and the industrial sector.

In the current situation, Indonesia, he added, will strive to assist local farmers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The coffee sector continues to experience challenges of falling prices, coupled with the current pandemic that has brought bigger challenges.

All countries, he added, have experienced crises in various sectors as the impact of COVID-19 spread, including the coffee sector. He also said that both COVID-19 border closures and social restrictions have disrupted supply and demand chains, which has resulted in an inadequate supply and depressed consumption.

According to him, the pandemic has brought a negative impact on farmers and coffee industry. Thus, Indonesia in the ICO will immediately respond to the impact of the pandemic, especially for highly affected actors, such as small farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), he added. (Public Relation of Trade Ministry/EN)

 

 

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas

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