Bananas are the most exported fresh fruit in the world by volume – 19.1 million tonnes in 2022 – and estimated economic value of USD 10 billion per year, making its value chain one of the most important in the world. Additionally, they are an essential source of income for thousands of rural households in developing countries. However, environmental, economic and social challenges in the industry can only be properly addressed if all the stakeholders actively collaborate.
The World Banana Forum facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing the Fourth Global Conference of the World Banana Forum, which will take place in FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy on Tuesday 12, and Wednesday, 13 March 2024 from 09:00 to 17:00 CEST (Rome time).
Three side events will also take place: the International Meeting on Gender Equity on 11 March, the Side-event on Fusarium Wilt TR4 on March 11 and the Global Conference on Living Wages/Income in the Banana Industry on 14 March. This conference will offer an opportunity for stakeholders of the banana sector, at all levels, to meet, discuss and collaborate, helping the industry to become more equitable, sustainable and responsible.
Attending the conference is free. Accreditation and registration of participants is required for security reasons. We recommend that travel and accommodation plans are made early in advance.
During the Conference, various topics related to the sustainability of the banana industry, such as environmental impacts, adaptation and mitigation of climate change, sustainable banana production systems, distribution of value in the supply chain, living wages, shared responsibility, due diligence, labour rights, decent work and gender equity will be addressed.
The conference will gather a wide range of stakeholders in the banana sector worldwide, including governments, relevant international organizations, importers, exporters, retailers, producer organizations, trade unions, civil society organizations and research and development institutes.
The Fourth Global Conference of the World Banana Forum is an opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between stakeholders to work together on the urgent challenges that the sector faces.
For more information: WBF@fao.org