Philippine Embassy in India Puts Forward PH interests
NEW DELHI, INDIA – The Philippines participated in the 64th International Sugar Organization (ISO) Council Session held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center on 27 June.
Third Secretary Melissa Anne M. Telan, Economic Officer of the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi, joined delegates from over 30 countries at the mid-year Council meeting.
Headquartered in London, the ISO is an intergovernmental body and the only worldwide forum for the exchange of views among major sugar producing, consuming and trading countries at an intergovernmental level. Its members represent roughly 90% of world sugar production and 70% of world sugar consumption. The ISO, through its Council, administers the ISA 1992.
ISO Council sessions are held twice a year, in May and November, for the consideration of major policy issues.
At the session, Third Secretary Telan delivered the Philippine position and casted votes during the Council’s consideration of proposed reforms to the 1992 International Sugar Agreement (ISA). Adopted in 1992 by the United Nations Sugar Conference, the ISA succeeded the initial agreement of 1987. The Philippines acceded to ISA 1992 on 14 November 1996.
India, the world’s largest consumer and second-largest producer of sugar, was elected as chair of the ISO Council for 2024.
The Philippines is also a major producer and the sugar industry is of extreme importance to the national economy. Output principally serves the domestic market, although the industry also exports. The United States is an important market. END
