The Steering Committee of the Partenariat pour le Coton recently convened to discuss the priorities for the cotton sector. Participants aimed to convert identified needs into investment opportunities and reviewed national and regional consultations findings. They also validated the Partenariat's scope, membership, and core functions.
WTO Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam stressed the importance of enhancing cotton–textile–garment value chains in C-4+ countries by increasing value addition, trade opportunities, and sustainable development outcomes. "The objective of the meeting was threefold: to present the national and regional reports emerging from the consultations; to highlight national priorities and investment needs; and to explore the technical assistance and financing options proposed by financial institutions in response to these findings," he stated.
Ms. Kanayo Awani, Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President for Intra-African and Export Development, addressed challenges such as low yields, processing capacity, climate issues, market fluctuations, global cotton prices, and limited infrastructure and technology. "To be able to upgrade and integrate into the global cotton value chain, the C-4+ countries need these issues to be tackled," she emphasized.
During the two-day event, thematic sessions focused on sustainable cotton production and financing mechanisms for developing the value chain. A high-level panel examined strategies to boost investment for cotton industrialization and local transformation in the C-4+ region.
The meeting concluded with discussions on supporting C-4+ priorities, including creating a C-4+ Partenariat Support Fund for capacity-building activities and international meetings. Attendees also prepared for World Cotton Day in October 2025, hosted by Chad with the International Trade Centre.
Participants included representatives from various international organizations such as WTO, UNIDO, ILO, BC, AfDB, FIFA, IAEA, and ICAC. Also present were members from IFC, ITC, UNODC, and development partners like China and the EU, alongside representatives of the C-4+ countries.
The continuation of these discussions will occur at the Director-General's Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton meeting scheduled for May 14 in Geneva.