Cocoa beyond Borders: Sustainability, Compliance, and the Future of Global Markets Conference, 11 – 12 June 2025, London, UK
Cocoa beyond Borders: Sustainability, Compliance, and the Future of Global Markets Conference, 11–12 June 2025, London, UK
This conference provides a unique platform for cocoa farmers, co-operatives, exporters, traders, manufacturers, and government representatives to come together, share insights, explore best practices, and engage in open, solution-driven dialogue around sustainability, compliance, and trade, all in an informal and collaborative setting.
International Cocoa Diplomacy (ICD), in partnership with Nielsonsmith, will bring the Cocoa Beyond Borders Conference to London, UK on 11–12 June 2025.
Bringing together a diverse and influential group of participants, from local and national government representatives, international finance institutions, and development agencies to cocoa farmers, cooperatives, exporters, traders, and manufacturers, the event will explore the future of global cocoa through the lenses of sustainability, compliance, and market innovation.
With a focus on fostering international collaboration and dialogue, the conference provides a dynamic platform for discussing practical solutions, building new partnerships, and advancing shared goals across the cocoa and chocolate value chain. Attendees will engage in high-level conversations around responsible sourcing, regulatory alignment, trade facilitation, and the socio-economic development of cocoa-producing regions.
Set in a professional yet collaborative atmosphere, Cocoa Beyond Borders is more than a conference, it’s a catalyst for shaping the future of cocoa on the global stage.
- HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, Founder, International Cocoa Diplomacy, ICD & The Oloni of Eti-Oni, Osun State, Nigeria
- Hon. Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Nigeria
- Hon. Dr (Mrs) Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Nigeria
- Ms. Florence Eshalomi MP, UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria
- Mr. George Freeman MP, UK Trade Envoy to Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Brunei
- H.E. Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, High Commissioner of Malaysia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
- YBhg. Datuk Dr. Ramle Bin Hj, Director General, Malaysian Cocoa Board
- Mr. Peter Macjob, Journalist, BBC Business
- Ms. Maria Smith, MD, Chief Impact Officer, British International Investment Plc
- Mr. Fuad Abubakar, Head, Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company London
- Mr. Massimo DE LUCA, Head of Cooperation Delegation of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS
- Mr. Nene Akwetey-Kodjoe, Chief of Party, USDA TRACE Project in Nigeria
- Ms. Chantal Coady OBE, Chairperson, Academy of Chocolate, UK
- Mr. Elvis Angyiembe, Cocoa Farm Owner & Investor, Cameroon
- Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security, Nigeria
- Prof (Dr.) Irene Chetschik, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, ZHAW
- Mr. Alban Brice Youngoua, Directeur Qualité Hygiène Sécurité Environnement, Atlantic Cocoa Corporation
- Dr. Antoine Resk Diomandé, Group Director ESG, Impact & Foundation, ATLANTIC GROUP S.A.
- Mr. Neil Barston, Editor, Confectionery Production Magazine
Day 1
08:00 – 08:50 Registration opens and morning refreshments
08:55 – 09:00 Introduction and Welcome
09:00 – 09:10 Opening Address
09:10 – 09:30 Conference Keynote Address
09:30 – 10:30 Panel Discussion: Global Cocoa Producers adapting to Market Challenges
10:30 – 11:00 Morning refreshments break and networking
11:00 – 12:00 From Pod to Product: Transforming Cocoa’s Future Through Sustainability and Market Integrity
12:00 – 13:15 NETWORKING LUNCH
13:15 – 14:45 Panel discussion: Challenges of Producing regions
14:45 – 15:45 Practical and potential impact of current legislative initiatives
15:45 – 16:15 Afternoon networking and refreshment break
16:15 – 17:00 Sustainability legislation’s impact on the supply chain – a Trader’s perspective
17:00 – 17:45 Alternative Chocolate, an impact on Cocoa’s future?
17:45 – 17:50 Closing remarks
18:00 – 19:00 Conference Networking Drinks Reception
Day 2
08:00 – 08:50 Morning refreshments and Networking
08:55 – 09:00 Introduction and Welcome
09:00 – 09:45 Empowering Cocoa Communities: Building Sustainable Value Chains in a Compliant World – a practical example from a small investor
09:45 – 10:30 Adoption of Technology and Ai in Cocoa Production
10:30 – 11:00 Morning refreshments break and networking
11:00 – 11:45 Panel discussion – Drivers of the Consuming Regions, Part 1
11:45 – 12:30 New Markets Development – Addressing Challenges and Complexities of Compliance, Market Barriers and Price Volatility
12:30 – 13:45 NETWORKING LUNCH
13:45 – 14:45 Panel discussion – Drivers of the Consuming regions part 2
14:45-14:50 Closing address
END OF CONFERENCE
If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@nielsonsmith.com
Please contact your NielsonSmith representative to discuss the programme in more depth.
ICD is a UK-registered not-for-profit international organization founded and established in 2020 as a platform deploying a bottom-up approach and solutions to respond to the vast and growing resource gaps and sustainability challenges faced by cocoa-producing communities worldwide. ICD will build bridges between production and consumption through collaborations, partnerships and cross-regional learning exchanges that offer shared value and wealth creation opportunities that will trigger the transformation of cocoa-producing regions, return farmers’ self-worth and dignity and catalyse an empowered successor generation of farmers and cocoaprenuers to undertake ethical, socially responsible, environmentally friendly and sustainable cocoa production and engage in viable value addition and local processing activities along the value chain. ICD will be working to build the cocoa culture for better understanding and appreciation in producing regions through its several events and activities that will bring together cocoa farmers across cocoa-producing regions of the world, cocoa processors and traders, industry actors, cocoa researchers and experts, policy and decision-makers, chocolate makers, equipment manufacturers, cocoa value and supply chain players and all key stakeholders to achieve its objectives which will include programmes/projects for pre and post-harvest activities as well as implementing strategies for innovative cocoa farming practices, cocoa transparency, climate smart solutions, quality assurance, digitization, blockchain interventions and traceability. In this regard, ICD will also promote the business-to-business opportunities between consuming nations and producing regions towards the standardization, marketing and trading of cocoa beans, value-added cocoa derivatives and premium chocolates and authentic confections.
Should you wish to become our Partner at this event, please contact Mr. Alex Terry on alex.terry@nielsonsmith.com
2-Day pass and the Company-wide Post-Event Microsite license for 1 year:
£999
The in-person event includes sessions, lunch, refreshments and available documentation. Please contact us for Groups. Please note: “Vendor” companies may attend as sponsors only.
Venue
Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
30 Portman Square, London W1H 7BH
Accommodation Allotment
TBC
Information
Delegate tickets are for in-house participants only. Compliance vendors may only attend by becoming a sponsor, please request a prospectus via the button below. Vendors purchasing tickets will not gain access to the event and will receive only a 70% refund.
