Senior government leaders, regulators, and industry decision makers from across the global cocoa value chain will convene in Amsterdam February 17-18 for the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting, as the industry faces mounting climate pressure, regulatory change, and market volatility.

This year’s meeting will mark the launch of WCF’s newly refined strategy, setting out a more focused and action-oriented approach to climate resilience, cocoa diseases, traceability, and regulatory readiness, the organization notes.

The program brings together senior leaders from key producing and consuming countries, and the participation of public and private sector leaders underlines the growing importance of alignment in securing cocoa’s future.  

Discussions will be moderated by Henry Bonsu, UK journalist and broadcaster and an experienced international conference moderator, including for the United Nations. Fluent in French and German, he reportedly brings deep expertise in facilitating high-level policy and sustainability discussions.  

Confirmed speakers include:  

• Yves Brahima Koné, director general, Conseil du Café-Cacao Côte d'Ivoire  
• Dr. Francis Baah, deputy CEO, Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD)  
• Raquel Solís Guevara, vice minister, government of Ecuador  
• Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary, Government of Nigeria  
• Santiago Gowland, CEO, Rainforest Alliance  
• Steven Collet, deputy director general of international cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands  
• Regis Meritan, senior expert, head of sector, Agricultural Growth, Directorate General for International Partnerships, European Commission  

Alongside the main program, WCF will host a reception titled "Women at the Heart of Sustainable Cocoa: Celebrating the International Year of Women Farmers," sponsored by Hershey. The International Year of Women Farmers, as United Nations puts it, recognizes the vital role women play in sustainable food systems, climate resilience and rural livelihoods.  

Full details of the program, speakers, and panelists can be found here.

Related: WCF Partnership Meeting to convene global cocoa leaders