The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) began its 82nd Plenary Meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with representatives from across the cotton textile value chain. Ibrokhim Y Abdurakhmonov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Agriculture, opened the event, followed by HEM Ambassador Aly Toure, Chair of the ICAC Standing Committee, who commended the Organizing Committee for its efforts and highlighted work to engage new members, especially from Africa.
Ambassador Toure also noted ICAC’s assistance to Benin for hosting World Cotton Day on October 7, 2024, marking the first time the event will be held in the Global South.
ICAC Executive Director Eric Trachtenberg addressed challenges in the cotton industry, such as price fluctuations and climate change, but expressed optimism about cotton’s role in poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and sustainability. He committed to enhancing ICAC’s work in data production, public engagement, and cotton agriculture development.
The conference recognized two ICAC Researcher of the Year awardees: David Fang from the USDA and Keerti Rathore from Texas A&M University.
Updates were also given by heads of ICAC’s Panels and Committees, including the Private Sector Advisory Council and the International Cotton Researchers Association. The event, themed ‘Global Partnerships to Promote Innovation in the Cotton and Textile Value Chains,’ runs from September 30 to October 3, 2024, and concludes with technical tours of Uzbekistan's cotton and textile industries.
