The International Coconut Community (ICC) is actively pushing the coconut sector to the forefront of the global green economy, emphasizing sustainability and strengthening vital partnerships in the Pacific region.
On September 23, 2025, the Director General of the ICC attended the prestigious amfori Europe Sustainability Summit in Frankfurt, Germany. This high-level gathering united global business leaders to address crucial themes: responsible business practices, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, and building resilient supply chains.
Why This Matters for Coconuts?. The ICC's presence at the Summit signals the increasing pressure and necessity for sustainability in international trade. By engaging with key international stakeholders, the ICC strategically positioned the coconut as a key commodity in the move toward a global green economy. The organization reaffirmed its core commitments: a) improved traceability, knowing exactly where a product comes from to ensure ethical sourcing; b) ethical sourcing, guaranteeing fair wages and safe working conditions for smallholder farmers; and c) environmental stewardship, implementing practices that protect the environment where coconuts are grown.
This proactive engagement is expected to open wider market opportunities for coconut products and, critically, promote sustainable livelihoods for the millions of smallholder farmers across ICC member countries.
The ICC is also reinforcing its commitment to its Pacific members. On September 27, 2025, in Paris, ICC Director General Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw met with Mrs. Peggy Roudaut, the Pacific Community (SPC)'s new Senior Technical and Engagement Advisor and Europe Representative. This timely meeting followed the recent reactivation of SPC’s Europe office and Mrs. Roudaut’s appointment.
Dr. Jelfina highlighted the significant economic challenge posed by underutilized coconut industries in the Pacific, noting that many processing facilities currently operate at only 60% capacity. She emphasized the untapped potential to significantly boost economic returns and improve livelihoods by expanding the production of diverse coconut-based products, including meat, water, charcoal, and husk.
Mrs. Roudaut echoed these concerns, stressing two major operational hurdles in the region: 1.Maintenance Deficit: While Pacific nations often receive new processing equipment and training, a substantial obstacle is the difficulty in maintaining and repairing machinery once it malfunctions, leading to costly downtime. 2. Senile Palm Crisis: There is an urgent need for large-scale replanting and technical support in areas like New Caledonia, where many coconut palms are past their prime (senile), resulting in declining yields.
The meeting also explored the potential for New Caledonia to join the ICC as an associate or full member. While not currently a member, participation would grant them immediate access to the ICC's vital technical support and programs, helping them prepare for eventual full participation.
Both leaders underscored the importance of regional network collaboration, particularly the Pacific Plant Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN) and the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT). These networks are essential for conserving genetic diversity and developing high-yielding, disease-resistant coconut hybrids necessary for the future of the industry.
Crucially, Dr. Jelfina and Mrs. Roudaut agreed to coordinate efforts to secure external donor support for coconut programs in the Pacific from European organizations. This unified approach aims to build long-term sustainability and enhance the resilience and productivity of the coconut sector across the nine ICC Pacific member countries.
Dr. Jelfina reaffirmed ICC’s commitment to work closely with SPC to enhance the resilience and productivity of the coconut sector across the nine ICC Pacific member countries.