(AGENPARL) - Roma, 6 Marzo 2024 - (AGENPARL) – mer 06 marzo 2024 [cid:5cfca7ce-531c-4b91-8968-a976835f7f0d]
Fourth Global Conference of the World Banana Forum
Discussions at FAO-hosted event will focus on a more equitable, sustainable and responsible banana industry
Rome, Italy, 12-13 March 2024, 09:00 – 17:00 CET
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will host the Fourth Global Conference of the World Banana Forum at its headquarters in Rome on March 12 and 13, with panel discussions featuring a range of stakeholders to discuss the urgent challenges facing the sector.
Bananas are the most exported fresh fruit in the world by volume, with 19.1 million tonnes in 2022 and an estimated economic value of $10 billion per year. Additionally, the banana value chain is an essential source of income for thousands of rural households in developing countries. However, the sector is facing increasing environmental, economic, and social challenges. Additionally, the spread of diseases, particularly Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4), requires the active cooperation of all stakeholders.
Since its establishment in 2009 and through its various technical working groups and regional commissions, the Forum has facilitated discussions on many topics of primary interest to the banana sector, including complex and sensitive issues such as living wages, labour rights, gender equality, gender-based violence, harassment, and freedom of association and collective bargaining.
The main Forum will take place on Tuesday 12, and Wednesday, 13 March 2024 from 09:00 to 17:00 CET in the Green and Red Rooms at FAO headquarters.
The first day event will feature opening remarks by FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu.
Panel discussions will follow on various issues related to the sustainability of the banana industry such as environmental impact, climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable banana production systems, value distribution in the supply chain, living wages, shared responsibility, due diligence, workers’ rights, decent work, and gender equity.
The conference will bring together a wide range of global banana stakeholders, including governments, relevant international organizations, importers, exporters, retailers, producer organizations, trade unions, civil society organizations, and research and development institutes.
The event will also be webcast live here.
In the context of the World Banana Forum, three side events will also take place at FAO Headquarters:
Third International Meeting on Gender Equity in the Banana Industry, 11 March 2024, 08:15 – 15:55 CET
Side Event on Fusarium Wilt TR4 and the Future of the Banana Industry, 11 March 2024, 13:00 – 17:00 CET
Global Conference on Living Wages/Income Defining the Future of the Banana Industry, 14 March 2024 08:15 – 17:00 CET
Please find the side events agenda here.
Banana Diversity Tasting Event – FAO Atrium, 12 March 2024
Along with the Fourth Global Conference of the World Banana Forum, the Banana Diversity Tasting Event will be held in the FAO Atrium on Tuesday, 12 March and will see the opening address by the FAO Director-General.
The event will offer the opportunity to taste various types of bananas from different regions and countries around the world. The exhibit will also feature a totem that will provide information on banana diversity and variety cryopreservation, as well as banana seeds and in vitro plants demonstrating the key elements used in the genetic conservation of banana germplasm. In addition, the exhibit will show images depicting the daily lives of global banana farmers and elements of the banana value chain, from producers to consumers.
The event and exhibit aim to create an engaging and informative experience for visitors, with a focus on raising awareness of the global economic significance of bananas and the crucial role of banana production for smallholders worldwide.
Both the scientific display and the banana-tasting event are being organized in collaboration with the International Musa Transit Centre of Bioversity International (CIAT).
————————————————————————————————–
CONTACT
Francis Markus
FAO News and Media
FAO News and Media
————————————————————————————————–
FOLLOW THE EVENT
Register to attend the event in person here, and follow the instructions.
Follow the live webcast here
FOLLOW ON X
@FAOSocioEcon
@FAONews
#WorldBananaForum
RESOURCES FOR THE MEDIA
World Banana Forum webpage
Agenda of the 4th Global Conference of the World Banana Forum
Agenda of side events
CONTACT
Francis Markus
FAO News and Media
FAO News and Media
Journalists & editors:
Online tools:
Photos via the FAOnews Flickr account
RSS feed of FAO news releases