7th International IFOAM Organic Trade Conference In Bangkok/Thailand
From November 1st to 10th, Bangkok was the "hot spot" of the organic movement. The 7th international IFOAM organic trade conference and the seminar on production and export of organic fruit and vegetables in Asia (jointly convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization/FAO, IFOAM and Green Net from Thailand) brought over 200 people from 31 countries to Bangkok. Most participants came for the IFOAM trade conference, which attracted stakeholders from all organic sectors and was opened by Thailand's Minister of Agriculture. The plenary sessions, workshops and seminars addressed a broad spectrum of important themes necessary for the further development of organic markets. In addition to numerous presentations and discussions surrounding the Organic Guarantee System and the movement's efforts to harmonise standards and certification, the conference also emphasized the importance and benefits of interlinking fair trade and organic agriculture.
Vitoon Panyakul and Ong Kung Wai, aided with the dedicated support from staff and volunteers of the Thai Earth Net Foundation and Green Net Cooperative, did an exceptional job of organizing the conference and seminars, and were given a standing ovation by the conference participants for their exemplary effort.
Vitoon Panyakul was pleased about the strong and engaged Asian participation, concluding that "the conference and symposium inspired the organic movement in Asia to further expand organic agriculture in an united way with increasing activities to incorporate the social justice agenda - especially for the farmers".
IFOAM's World Board member Prabha Mahale from India, speaking from the perspective of the worldwide organic movement and IFOAM, summarized the conference deliberations in the closing session: "the conference provided an international platform that dealt not only with trade related specific issues but brought into focus cultural, ethical, social and economic perspectives and reiterated the need for greater transparency throughout the chain of organic production, marketing and consumption."
The IFOAM trade conference was preceded by a three-day seminar on organic fruit and vegetables in Asia, which gave an overview about Asia's opportunities in the sector, but also reflected about obstacles and barriers and how to overcome them.
In addition to these two main events, a number of other important activities and meetings took place in Bangkok. IFOAM held a four day World Board meeting, the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS), which implements the IFOAM accreditation program, brought its accreditation committee and Board to Bangkok for four days of meetings, farmer representatives from all continents came together for a 3-day workshop on social justice and others participated in workshop on local marketing. Excursions to organic farms and projects, cultural activities and an impressive gala dinner with cultural program contributed to this successful get together of the organic movement.
For those who couldn't make it to Bangkok and/or want to learn more about the themes and presentations, the conference reader is available from the IFOAM Head Office (94 pages, 18 Euros, fax: +49-6853-919899, web: http://www.ifoam.org ).
__________Uniting the Organic World ________________
IFOAM's mission is leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full diversity. Our goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems that are based on the principles of Organic Agriculture.
Neil Sorensen
Communications and Events Coordinator
IFOAM Bonn Office
IFOAM e.V.
Görresstraße 15, Eingang 2a
53113 Bonn
Tel: +49-228 926 50-12
Fax: +49-228 926 50-99
Email: n.sorensen@ifoam.org
Web: http://www.ifoam.org
From November 1st to 10th, Bangkok was the "hot spot" of the organic movement. The 7th international IFOAM organic trade conference and the seminar on production and export of organic fruit and vegetables in Asia (jointly convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization/FAO, IFOAM and Green Net from Thailand) brought over 200 people from 31 countries to Bangkok. Most participants came for the IFOAM trade conference, which attracted stakeholders from all organic sectors and was opened by Thailand's Minister of Agriculture. The plenary sessions, workshops and seminars addressed a broad spectrum of important themes necessary for the further development of organic markets. In addition to numerous presentations and discussions surrounding the Organic Guarantee System and the movement's efforts to harmonise standards and certification, the conference also emphasized the importance and benefits of interlinking fair trade and organic agriculture.
Vitoon Panyakul and Ong Kung Wai, aided with the dedicated support from staff and volunteers of the Thai Earth Net Foundation and Green Net Cooperative, did an exceptional job of organizing the conference and seminars, and were given a standing ovation by the conference participants for their exemplary effort.
Vitoon Panyakul was pleased about the strong and engaged Asian participation, concluding that "the conference and symposium inspired the organic movement in Asia to further expand organic agriculture in an united way with increasing activities to incorporate the social justice agenda - especially for the farmers".
IFOAM's World Board member Prabha Mahale from India, speaking from the perspective of the worldwide organic movement and IFOAM, summarized the conference deliberations in the closing session: "the conference provided an international platform that dealt not only with trade related specific issues but brought into focus cultural, ethical, social and economic perspectives and reiterated the need for greater transparency throughout the chain of organic production, marketing and consumption."
The IFOAM trade conference was preceded by a three-day seminar on organic fruit and vegetables in Asia, which gave an overview about Asia's opportunities in the sector, but also reflected about obstacles and barriers and how to overcome them.
In addition to these two main events, a number of other important activities and meetings took place in Bangkok. IFOAM held a four day World Board meeting, the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS), which implements the IFOAM accreditation program, brought its accreditation committee and Board to Bangkok for four days of meetings, farmer representatives from all continents came together for a 3-day workshop on social justice and others participated in workshop on local marketing. Excursions to organic farms and projects, cultural activities and an impressive gala dinner with cultural program contributed to this successful get together of the organic movement.
For those who couldn't make it to Bangkok and/or want to learn more about the themes and presentations, the conference reader is available from the IFOAM Head Office (94 pages, 18 Euros, fax: +49-6853-919899, web: http://www.ifoam.org ).
__________Uniting the Organic World ________________
IFOAM's mission is leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full diversity. Our goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems that are based on the principles of Organic Agriculture.
Neil Sorensen
Communications and Events Coordinator
IFOAM Bonn Office
IFOAM e.V.
Görresstraße 15, Eingang 2a
53113 Bonn
Tel: +49-228 926 50-12
Fax: +49-228 926 50-99
Email: n.sorensen@ifoam.org
Web: http://www.ifoam.org