International Cocoa Agreement

The European Parliament adopted by 601 votes to 13, with 34 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the approval of amendments to the International Cocoa Agreement.

Parliament gave its consent to the amendment of the agreement.

The European Union is a party to the 2010 International Cocoa Agreement (ICA) and a member of the International Cocoa Organization. The proposal concerns the approval, on behalf of the Union, of the 2022 amendments to the 2010 ICA.

The text of the ICA, as amended, was approved by the International Cocoa Council at its 106th regular session held from 27 - 29 September 2022. The amendment was negotiated to modify the ICA 2010, which has been extended until 30 September 2026.

The amendments include the following changes:

1. an indefinite duration of the Agreement (subject to review every five years), to bring more stability and sustainability to initiatives implemented under the Agreement;

2. realignment of the provisions of the Agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure an accelerated development of the world cocoa economy;

3. introduction of a key objective in the Agreement with respect to achieving a living income for cocoa farmers and a reference to remunerative prices to reach economic sustainability;

4. three new articles outlining specific measures to be carried out under the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability;

5. reinvigorating attention on value addition, premium quality, and food safety;

6. supporting research and innovation in the cocoa value chain and expanding cooperation with more donor agencies for financing of cocoa development projects.