50 YEARS JOURNEY OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEPPER COMMUNITY – TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER
50 YEARS JOURNEY OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEPPER COMMUNITY – TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER
IPC 09/12/2022 2609
Year 2022 marks the 50th year of the International Pepper Community’s journey in the global pepper industry. Looking back to the time when the three founding members signed the agreement in 1972, IPC has evolved and expanded from a three-member Community to a five and plus two Associate Members to fulfil its vision to promote, coordinate and harmonize all activities relating to the global pepper economy. As much as accomplishment has been achieved over the past 50 years, challenges remain for the IPC along the way. IPC ought to stay the course and stand united to weather the current tide of the complicated development and global situations ranging in the ongoing development of COVID-19 pandemic, instability of pepper prices, disruption in logistics, stringent rules and regulation for pepper trade, climate change and other external influence.
In order to commemorate the 50 years journey of the IPC, a 50 Years Journey of the International Pepper Community book and a short video were launched during the Gala Dinner of the 50th Executive Meeting of the Heads of Delegations of the IPC on 30 November 2022 at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. The Gala Dinner was a prelude of the 50th Executive Meeting of the Heads of Delegations of the IPC which was organized the following day on 1 December 2022 at the same venue. The 50th Executive Meeting of the Heads of Delegations of the IPC was originally planned to be organized along with the IPC Annual Sessions and Meetings and International Pepper Exhibitions 2022 in Sri Lanka. However, due to the unfavorable condition, Sri Lanka was unable to organize the event this year.
The 50th Executive Meeting of the Heads of Delegations of the IPC which was organized in hybrid format (physical and virtual), was chaired by Sri Lanka, Dr. H.M.P.A. Subasinghe, Director (Research) Intercropping and Betel Research Station Department of Export Agriculture and Vice-Chaired by Malaysia, Mr. Cheah Cee Fong, Undersecretary Cocoa and Pepper Industry Development Division Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities. During the Executive Meeting, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade Government of Indonesia, the Executive Director of IPC, Ms. Firna Azura Ekaputri Hj. Marzuki addressed the challenges of the pepper industry and invited all stakeholders of the pepper industries in respective member countries to come together in strengthening the network and confronted the global challenges in solidarity. Thus, making sure the sustainability of the pepper industry and the prosperity of all stakeholders.
The Executive Meeting which elaborated the future plan of the Community was also attended by Mr. Sathiyan Duraiswamy, Secretary of Spices Board Government of India, Mr. Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, Director General International Trade Negotiation Ministry of Trade Government of Indonesia and Mr. Vu Thanh Liem, Deputy Director General International Cooperation Department Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Viet Nam as the Heads of Delegations from respected member countries.
