Textiles Ministry to Host 81st ICAC Plenary Meeting in Mumbai from December 2nd to 5th

The Government of India, Ministry of Textiles, is set to host the 81st Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) from December 2nd to 5th, 2023, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

The event, organized by the Office of Textile Commissioner in collaboration with the Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI), the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), and the Cotton Association of India (CAI), marks a significant milestone for the country, hosting the ICAC Plenary after an eight-year gap.

The inauguration ceremony, scheduled for December 2, 2023, at 02:00 p.m., will be graced by Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry, and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India. Over 400 delegates from 35 countries are expected to participate in the four-day conference, making it the first in-person Plenary Meeting since 2019, overcoming the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The theme of the 81st Plenary Meeting is ‘Cotton Value Chain: Local Innovations for Global Prosperity,’ reflecting a shift from economic considerations to ecological sustainability. The event aims to serve as a platform for sharing innovations, benchmarks, and good practices across the globe, focusing on productivity, climate resilience, and circularity for a vibrant global cotton economy.

India, alongside Brazil, Egypt, France, Sudan, and the USA, is a founding member of ICAC, playing a pivotal role in discussions on international issues affecting the global cotton industry. The Plenary Meeting will cover a diverse range of topics, including technologies to increase productivity, climate-smart innovations for cotton production, recent technological advances, and global efforts in branding sustainability. Sessions will also address genetics diversity for enhanced cotton productivity, climate resilience, and technological innovations for global collaborations.

One of the highlights of the event is the launch of the 'Kasturi Cotton Bharat' brand, showcasing India's commitment to transparency, traceability, and sustainability in the cotton value chain. Leveraging blockchain technology, the initiative aims to provide end-to-end traceability solutions for softer, stronger, and purer cotton, reinforcing India's dedication to quality and assurance.

The Plenary Meeting will not only provide a platform for knowledge exchange but also offer India a unique opportunity to showcase its strengths, growth, and resilience in the cotton-based textile industry. Case studies, success stories, and innovative initiatives by small and marginal farmers will be highlighted, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and inclusiveness across the cotton value chain.

Following the four-day conference, a Technical Tour is arranged for interested delegates from December 6th to 8th, 2023, providing insights into the textile industry in and around the textile city of Ahmedabad. Additionally, India is gearing up to host Bharat Tex 2024, the world's largest textile exposition, from February 26th to 29th, 2024, in New Delhi.