Our Future: Resilience Through Sustainability

The Word Cocoa Foundation invites all stakeholders committed to shaping a sustainable future for the cocoa and chocolate supply chain to the 2025 Partnership Meeting in São Paulo, Brazil. This leading global event takes place this year under the theme of 'Our Future: Resilience Through Sustainability'. Members, farmer organizations, donors, decision-makers and thought leaders will come together to chart a new course forward.

This annual event unites cocoa farmers and experts from companies, governments, academia, financial donors and philanthropists, civil society and press in a single forum for discussion, collaboration and shared progress on sustainability in a dialogue meant to help us align for global action. We look forward to seeing you there as we shape the future of our sector together.

Our Future: Resilience Through Sustainability

Today, we find ourselves at a critical moment for the cocoa sector. Farmers face mounting challenges including tree disease, climate change, declining productivity and new regulations that pose high hurdles for compliance. As this drives a supply deficit, markets are fluctuating with severe volatility. Industry and governments are being pressed to achieve progress on sustainability issues now. Resilience for the entire sector – environmentally, socially and economically – has never been more of an imperative.

These interlinked challenges offer us an unprecedented chance to elevate how we work together across the cocoa sector. Our individual and collective resilience remains on our ability to understand the drivers of the current situation and identify solutions to map a new path forward. With Latin America as the setting, the event will focus on how to solve the acute global challenges facing all of us in the sector.

Insightful Program Featuring Thought-Leading Speakers

Join us for an insightful agenda featuring sessions on markets, climate impact, agroforestry, regenerative farming and cocoa's role in prosperity. Plus, get the latest updates on WCF's impact measurement. Program highlights and featured sessions here

New Voices and Stakeholders

Around 400 people from more than 40 countries representing the cocoa supply chain and beyond. The event includes diverse perspectives and cross-commodity stakeholders and welcomes farmer organizations, governments and civil society organisations. Networking can start before the event as we will introduce an app featuring the agenda, speakers and showing all participants. More to come!

Global South-South Exchange

This Partnership Meeting offers a unique opportunity to explore Brazil's cocoa supply chain and engage in South-South exchanges. With Brazil's potential in sustainable cocoa production, from smallholders to mechanized farms, other countries can gain valuable insights. Delegates will also have the chance to meet Brazilian cocoa growers during field visits. More information here .

Admission fees

WCF MEMBERS: 1430 USD
WCF NON MEMBERS: 1650 USD
NGO/GOVERNMENT: 1210 USD
WCF MEMBERS (from Brazil): 770 USD
WCF NON MEMBERS (from Brazil): 990 USD
NGO/GOVERNMENT(from Brazil): 550 USD

Including:

Two-day conference pass
Reception on Day 1
Access to the Innovation Marketplace
Breaks, lunch and refreshments

Week Schedule

For a summarized version of all events before, during and after the Partnership Meeting, please click here.

Diary

13:30 Side Event Forest Data Partnership (By invitation)

The Forest Data Partnership and the World Cocoa Foundation work to enhance governance, transparency and sustainability through digital infrastructure. This session will explore strategies for improving cocoa sector forest data, focusing on innovation, data standardisation and collaboration. More information here
16:00 WCF Membership Assembly (members only)
18:00 WCF Member Reception (By invitation)
19:00 Side Event Women in Cocoa & Chocolate (WINCC) Reception

Highlighting the re-launch of the network with a renewed vision, the WINCC (Women in Cocoa & Chocolate) event brings together women professionals from across the industry to engage in discussions and networking, with a focus on advancing gender equity, fostering leadership of women, peer-learning, and promoting sustainability and inclusivity in the cocoa sector. Information and registration here.

Master of Ceremony
- Pryscilla Paiva
  
  Canal Rural Produções
  
  Journalist & TV Host
08:00 Coffee Break
08:30 Opening Remarks & Keynote Addresses
09:30 Plenary Keynote: The macroeconomics of commodities
This keynote delivers a global update on agricultural commodities, focusing on cocoa and analyzing the impacts of climate change, regulations, and inflation on prices, production and demand worldwide.
- Marcello Brito
  
  Legal Amazon Consortium of States (Consórcio Amazônia Legal)
  
  Executive Secretary
09:40 Plenary session: World cocoa economics
Experts will highlight how sustainable practices and resilient supply chains drive economic benefits, market stability, and brand reputation in the cocoa industry, highlighting the role of business models, governance and shifting consumer preferences.
11:05 Cocoa Break
11:35 Breakout Session: #1 The future of indirect sourcing
This session will explore how evolving demands for traceability, regulation, and transparency are reshaping sourcing approaches and cocoa supply chains. Experts will discuss strategies for achieving compliance while balancing efficiency, ethical sourcing, and sustainability, as well as the roles of traders, governments, and markets in adapting to these shifts.
11:35 Breakout Session: #2 Mapping your way out of the maze of deforestation and carbon claims
Experts from forest management, academia, and the private sector will examine the complexities of forest monitoring and greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, focusing on accurately measuring deforestation, reforestation, and carbon flux, as well as how the cocoa industry can enhance data standards for climate and environmental management.
11:35 Breakout Session: #3 Understanding household income patterns to scale living income interventions
Explore the latest Cocoa Household Income Study (CHIS) methodology, developed by WCF and research partners, insights on accurately measuring cocoa household income to shape impactful interventions, with discussions on the latest pilot results and expert perspectives from researchers, government, industry and farmers.
12:50 Lunch Break
14:20 WCF Chair Keynote
- Christine McGrath
  
  Mondelēz International
  
  WCF Chair - SVP and Chief Impact and Sustainability Officer
14:30 Fireside Chat: World cocoa politics
Hear from policymakers from the EU, USA, Latin America and West Africa for an insightful discussion on the future of cocoa. They will address import regulations, sustainability goals, and the strategies cocoa-exporting countries are adopting to enhance quality, revenue, and community impact.
15:50 Cocoa Break
16:10 Breakout session: #4 EUDR, CSRD & CSDDD: Preparing for compliance
The EU's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) are setting the stage for sustainable supply chains, and this session will focus on their implications for the cocoa sector. Key topics include evaluating the effectiveness of these regulations, opportunities and challenges for compliance, and the potential impact they can deliver for cocoa sustainability.
16:10 Breakout session: #5 Disease management: Preventing disaster and unlocking opportunities for growth
This session will present data and insights from experts across Latin America and Africa, sharing cross-geography learnings to highlight innovative management strategies for diseases such as CSSV and Monilla. By bringing together diverse perspectives, including plant pathologists, field practitioners, cocoa sector representatives, and multilateral organisations, we will discuss successful pilot projects, the co-benefits of tackling these diseases, and how collective action and sector-wide collaboration can scale efforts for lasting impact.
16:10 Breakout session: #6 How mechanisation can drive profitability and attract a new generation of farmers
Mechanisation in cocoa farming provides various benefits, with its impact depending on farm size and affecting profitability and innovation. By examining global experiences, including those in coffee farming, the discussion will focus on how smallholder farmers can benefit from innovative technologies and effective technical assistance strategies.
17:30 Reception – Sponsored by AIPC

Master of Ceremony
- Pryscilla Paiva
  
  Canal Rural Produções
  
  Journalist & TV Host
08:00 Side Event Living Income Debate (By invitation)

The Living Income Breakfast, co-hosted by Voice Network, IDH, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will foster dialogue on policy commitments, sustainable procurement, and data transparency in the cocoa sector. More information on the Side Events page.
08:30 Innovation Marketplace (including Cocoa Break)

A platform for organisations and companies that drive innovative solutions to challenges within the cocoa sector. Read more here.
10:00 Opening Remarks
- Patricio Torres
  
  Chocolates Garoto & Chocolates & Biscuits Nestlé
  
  VP Managing Director
- Wallison Oliveira Torres
  
  Federal Government of Brazil
  
  Agriculture Secretary of Bahia
10:10 Plenary keynotes - World & Latin America Chocolate Consumption
The keynote speakers will explore evolving global consumer preferences, focusing on Latin American trends and their impact on cocoa demand, production and sustainability.
- Jaime Recena
  
  Brazilian Association of Chocolate, Confectionery, and Peanut Industries (ABICAB)
  
  Executive President
- Marcela Botana
  
  Kantar Brazil
  
  Market Development & Activation Director, LATAM
10:50 Fireside chat Industry Leaders: World cocoa business investments
This signature panel will bring industry leaders together to review the impact of high cocoa prices on the competitive position of chocolate in the consumer market. Panellists will discuss the effects of supply chain disruptions and production shortages on procurement strategies, sustainability commitments and long-term investment appeal.
11:35 The real business case for investment in agroforestry, reforestation and biodiversity
As the cocoa industry faces challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, experts will explore how using agroforestry systems to protect biodiversity can deliver environmental, economic and community benefits along with strategies for integrating farmers and community priorities.
13:00 Lunch Break
14:15 Breakout Session: #7 Creating an enabling environment for farmer investments
Traceability and transparency in cocoa production can enhance economic viability and attract investment while promoting sustainability. Experts will discuss strategies such as technical assistance, finance models, risk management and market incentives to build a resilient and equitable cocoa industry.
14:15 Breakout Session: #8 Reliable data for forest monitoring and greenhouse gas accounting
Experts from forest management, academia, and the private sector will examine the complexities of forest monitoring and greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, focusing on accurately measuring deforestation, reforestation, and carbon flux, as well as how the cocoa industry can enhance data standards for climate and environmental management.
14:15 Breakout Session: #9 Investing in farmer and community health and social protection
A holistic approach to farming and community health is essential for cocoa supply chain sustainability, combating child labour and boosting living standards. The discussion will focus on integrating social equity, safety and support initiatives to foster resilient cocoa communities.
15:40 Cocoa Break
16:00 World cocoa social policies: combatting child labour at the required scale to maximise impact
The cocoa sector is united in its commitment to combat child labour, recognising the importance of public-private partnerships and financial investment for lasting change. Discussions will centre on how the EU's CSDDD can drive scalable solutions to tackle the root causes.
17:00 Closing Plenary – Our Future: Resilience Through Sustainability
This is another signature panel of the Partnership Meeting where (regional) associations for cocoa and chocolate will share the stage and discuss the learnings and reflections of the past two days and the impact on their associations' policies
17:55 Closing remarks
- Chris Vincent
  
  World Cocoa Foundation
  
  President
18:00 End of Meeting

08:30 Side Event Brazil Session

CocoaAction Brasil, an initiative of the World Cocoa Foundation, invites you to a special session on Brazil's cocoa recovery. Diving into projects and initiatives that are driving sustainability, boosting productivity and farmer income. More information and registration here

Thank you to our sponsors

If you are interested in a sponsorship package, you can find more information here and contact us at wcfpm@worldcocoa.org

Platinum

Gold

Reception

Silver

Bronze

Cocoa Contributor

Media Partner

Explore Innovation Marketplace
at the WCF 2025 Partnership Meeting

The Innovation Marketplace is a key highlight of the Partnership Meeting. It provides a platform for organisations and companies that drive innovative solutions to challenges within the cocoa sector, aligned with the theme of ' Resilience Through Sustainability'.

The Innovation Marketplace will take place on March 20, 2025, from 08:30 – 10:00 AM. During this dedicated time, exhibitors will present their initiatives, share knowledge, and engage with influential stakeholders from around the world. This is a unique opportunity to showcase breakthrough ideas and connect with industry leaders, donors, and experts in the cocoa sustainability field.

We encourage all participants to visit the Marketplace and discover innovative solutions shaping the future of cocoa sustainability.

Note: While the presentation sessions will conclude at 10:00 AM, exhibition tables will remain on display for the rest of Thursday’s schedule, allowing attendees to explore the showcased initiatives at their convenience.

The Innovation Marketplace is now fully booked! If you’re interested in showcasing your innovative approaches in the future, stay connected and join us next time. We look forward to seeing you at the Partnership Meeting!

If you have any questions for us, please reach out to wcfpm@worldcocoa.org.

Side Events at the Partnership Meeting

Side Events at the 2025 Partnership Meeting offer attendees an opportunity to dive deeper into key topics, network with industry leaders and participate in specialised discussions beyond the main sessions. These events are organised by partner organisations.

Forest Data Partnership (By Invitation Only)

Tuesday, 18 March 2025
Time: 13:30 – 15:00

The Forest Data Partnership, in collaboration with the World Cocoa Foundation, is dedicated to enhancing forest data standards and governance across the cocoa sector. By leveraging cutting-edge digital public infrastructure, including WHISP, cocoa community models, and interoperability solutions, the partnership seeks to drive greater transparency and resilience within cocoa supply chains.

At this side event, key stakeholders will explore strategies to improve cocoa sector-wide forest data, ensuring robust governance and alignment with sustainability goals. The discussion will focus on innovation, data standardisation, and collaborative pathways for strengthening the cocoa industry’s future.

WINCC - From Network to Sector Movement (Registration open)

Wednesday, 18 March 2025
Time: 19:00 – 21.00

The Women in Cocoa and Chocolate (WINCC) network is dedicated to enhancing gender equity and inclusivity in governance and decision-making within the cocoa industry. It provides a platform for women across the cocoa and chocolate value chain to engage, connect, and inspire one another, strengthening their influence in building a more sustainable sectorThe Women in Cocoa and Chocolate (WINCC) network is dedicated to enhancing gender equity and inclusivity in governance and decision-making within the cocoa industry. It provides a platform for women across the cocoa and chocolate value chain to engage, connect, and inspire one another, strengthening their influence in building a more sustainable sector.

At the Partnership Meeting, WINCC will host a panel discussion examining the challenges and opportunities faced by women in the cocoa industry. The session will highlight success stories, explore strategies for fostering a more inclusive and diverse workforce, and discuss the role of women in driving meaningful change.

Living Income Breakfast (By Invitation Only)

Thursday, 20 March 2025
Time: 8:00 – 10:00

The Living Income Breakfast provides a dedicated space for stakeholders to align on the latest developments regarding living income in the cocoa sector. Co-hosted by Voice Network, IDH, and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this session will feature discussions on:

Advancing Commitment to Living Income: navigating the current legislative and policy landscape while maintaining momentum for industry-wide progress.
Purchasing Practices: driving individual and collective sustainable procurement commitments and actions.
Sharing Data & Best Practices: encouraging sector-wide adoption of the CHIS methodology and Cocoa Income Inventory to enhance transparency, insights and evidence-based learning on living income.

This interactive discussion will provide valuable insights and facilitate alignment on critical next steps for achieving a living income in the cocoa industry.

Brazil session - by CocoaAction Brasil (Registration closed)

Friday 21 March 2025
Time: 8:00 – 13:00

2025 Partnership Meeting Our Future: Resilience Through Sustainability