The Philippines, a global leader in coconut production and exports, participated in the 60th Session and Ministerial Meeting of the International Coconut Community, hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka on November 25-28, 2024 at the Hilton Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This prestigious four-day event gathered ministers and delegates from ICC member countries, along with representatives from international partner and observer organizations. Leading the Philippine delegation was Mr. Roel M. Rosales, Deputy Administrator for Operations of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), as the designated Plenipotentiary. Joining him were Mr. Roy T. Devesa, Deputy Administrator for Research and Development; Mr. Dennis D. Andres, Regional Manager for Regions III and IV-B and Acting Department Manager for the Program Management Office; and Ms. Ma. Odessa M. Pacaul, Department Manager of the Corporate Planning Service. Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), and Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, member of the ICC Scientific Advisory Committee on Health, also represented the Philippines in this global gathering.

The ICC, established in 1969 under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), comprises 21 member countries responsible for over 90% of the world's coconut production and exports. These nations span Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean, Africa, and South America, making the ICC a vital platform for shaping the future of the global coconut industry.

The ICC, established in 1969 under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), comprises 21 member countries responsible for over 90% of the world's coconut production and exports. These nations span Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean, Africa, and South America, making the ICC a vital platform for shaping the future of the global coconut industry.

A traditional illumination of the oil lamp marked the commencement of the inaugural session, symbolizing unity and hope. In his welcome remarks, Mr. B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary of the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, highlighted Sri Lanka's rich coconut heritage and its central role in the nation's economy and culture. He emphasized the importance of this gathering, which brought together a diverse group of policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, farmers, and stakeholders to collectively shape the future of the coconut industry.

Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director of the ICC, expressed gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for their hospitality and acknowledged the presence of delegates from member countries and representatives from 11 international organizations. Dr. Alouw also underscored the importance of the session as a platform to share insights on national programs, explore growth opportunities, address shared challenges, and collaborate on solutions. She expressed her hope that the session would inspire valuable collaborations and transformative actions, advancing the ICC's mission to new heights.

Furthermore, the Hon. Samantha Vidyarathne (MP), Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, officially opened the event. In his address, the Minister emphasized the entrenched history of the coconut industry in Sri Lanka and its significance to the nation's economy, culture, and daily life. He called for international cooperation and the adoption of modern technologies to overcome challenges and drive the industry's future growth

Representing the Philippines, Mr. Rosales presented the Philippine Coconut Development Agenda together with other plenipotentiary delegates from Côte d'Ivoire, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vanuatu. In his talk, Mr. Rosales showcased the nation's leadership as the world's largest coconut plantation, leading producer and exporter of CNO. He also discussed the government’s initiative in alleviating the plight of coconut farmers in the Philippines through the Coconut Farmers Industry Development Program (CFIDP). The country reports addressed a diverse array of subjects, including strategies for enhancing farm productivity and increasing farmers' income, as well as reforestation and rehabilitation programs.

The event also included a field trip to prominent sites, such as BotaniCoir, CLB Foods, and the Sri Lanka Coconut Research Center, providing delegates with firsthand insights into the host country's coconut industry innovations.

This year’s ICC session proved to be a vital forum for forging partnerships and advancing the shared goal of building a sustainable and thriving global coconut industry.