My dearest International Pepper Community Family,

Assalammualaikumwarahmatullahiwabarakatuh.

Happy 50th Birthday, IPC and Happy International Pepper Day!

This year, IPC is commemorating its 50th anniversary, the momentous milestone, the golden anniversary of IPC. Looking back to the time when the three founding members signed the agreement in 1972, IPC has evolved and expanded from a three-member organization to a five and plus two associate members to fulfill its vision of to promote, co-ordinate and harmonize all activities relating to the global pepper economy.

From a fledging organization, overcoming the challenges in the course of its evolution through a decades-long process to bring the global pepper industry to greater heights, IPC has preserved and prospered over the past fifty years to become an indispensable player and major contributor to the development of the global pepper industry.

IPC has fundamentally shaped the global pepper agenda and has thrived against all odds to become recognized by other international organizations through the promotion of trust, confidence and peaceful relations among its members and with other countries and organization.

As much as what has been achieved over 50 years, challenges remain for IPC along the way. IPC needs to stay the course and stand united to weather the current tide of complicated developments and global situations ranging in ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, instability of pepper prices, disruption in logistics, stringent rules and regulations for pepper trade, climate change. As an international organization, IPC also need to ensure its role as an effective player in the development of the global pepper industry and capable of playing bigger roles in responding as one to global challenges. All IPC member countries must come together to strengthen our networking and address global challenges in solidarity.

At heart, that is what membership in the International Pepper Community all about and what we celebrate and reaffirm today and the global pepper industry would make progress in our shared efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and leave no one behind which will focus on food security and sustainable agriculture for the welfare of pepper smallholders.

This year, in conjunction with the celebration of IPC’s 50th anniversary and the International Pepper Day, we have organized a logo design and photography competition, opened to all IPC Member Countries and Associate Members. The feedbacks were remarkable. Thank you everyone who joined the competition. And Congratulations to Mr. Dhimas Bagas from Indonesia, the winner for logo design and Mr. Muhammad Syafiq Muhammad from Malaysia, the winner for photography competition.

Last but not least, as we are celebrating this happy birthday of the Organization that we all care and IPC enters a new phase of its journey. it needs continued support from the Member Countries, Associate Members and pepper industry stakeholders. And I always believe that two heads are better than one and as such it is with our high hope that all pepper industry stakeholders will work together hand-in-hand and strengthen our networking and cooperation for the betterment of the pepper industry particularly during these trying times.

Once again, on behalf of the IPC Secretariat, I would like to express my utmost gratitude and appreciation to all of you for joining us today to celebrate the important milestone, the golden anniversary of IPC. Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much and together we are stronger in this industry. The IPC generation of the next 50 years will have more to celebrate.

Once again, Happy 50th Birthday, IPC and Happy International Pepper Day!

Yours sincerely,

Firna Azura Ekaputri Hj. Marzuki
Executive Director