Major cocoa producers advocate for implementation of 2026 International Cocoa Agreement amid price volatility
via Abidjan.net10 min read
Major cocoa-producing countries, representing 95% of global production within the International Cocoa Organization ICCO, are urging the effective implementation of the 2026 International Cocoa Agreement. This call comes in response to persistent price volatility in the international cocoa market. Aly Tour茅, Permanent Representative of C么te d鈥橧voire to international commodity organizations, articulated this position during a press conference held on March 31, 2026, at the ICCO headquarters in Cocody. The agreement is built on four strategic pillars: ensuring a living income for producers through economic sustainability and fair prices; promoting a more equitable distribution of value by encouraging local processing of cocoa beans in producing countries; reducing trade barriers, particularly non-tariff ones, to improve market access and protect producer incomes; and expanding ICCO membership while strengthening its international actions. Tour茅 emphasized that the agreement would significantly improve the global cocoa economy if fully and proactively implemented, reminding that without producers, there would be no cocoa industry or chocolate. He also highlighted a structural shift in the market, noting that the price drop observed in 2026 is not cyclical but reflects an unfavorable power dynamic for producers, with manufacturers having reconfigured their products. Tour茅 believes global cocoa demand is on a sustained downward trend, necessitating collective action from producing
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The West African Economic and Monetary Union UEMOA has announced a call for applications for its excellence scholarship program. This initiative aims to select ten students from each member state to pursue higher education within the Union. The scholarships will support studies at the Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate, or postdoctoral specialization levels in human health, at accredited higher education institutions located within UEMOA territory. This program, titled "UEMOA Excellence Scholarship Program for Training and Research," is part of the UEMOA Commission's 2025-2030 strategic plan, "Impact 2030." The scholarships are not cumulative with other grants and cannot be deferred; online training is not eligible. Eligibility criteria vary by academic level. For Bachelor's level, applicants must be 21 years old maximum by December 31, 2026, hold a Baccalaureate obtained in 2026 with a minimum average of 14/20. Master's candidates must be 24 years old maximum by December 31, 2026, hold a Bac+3 degree Bachelor's with a minimum average of 14/20. Doctoral candidates must be 28 years old maximum by December 31, 2026, hold a Bac+5 degree Master's, Engineer, DESS with a minimum average of 14/20. For human health specialization, applicants must be 35 years old maximum by December 31, 2026, hold a Doctorate or PhD in medicine or pharmacy, and have a minimum average of 14/20. The application deadline is August 30, 2026, and interested candidates can apply online via the UEMOA website ht
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