Establishment of the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy
1. A Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy (herein after called the Board) is hereby established to encourage the active participation of experts from the private sector in the work of the Organization and to promote a continuous dialogue among experts from the public and private sectors.
2. The Board shall be an advisory body which advises the Council on issues of general and strategic interest to the cocoa sector, which include:
(a)
The long-term structural developments in supply and demand;
(b)
The ways and means of strengthening the position of cocoa farmers, with a view to improving their livelihoods;
(c)
Proposals to encourage the sustainable production, trade and use of cocoa;
(d)
The development of a sustainable cocoa economy;
(e)
The elaboration of the modalities and frameworks for promotion of consumption; and
(f)
Any other cocoa-related matters within the scope of the Agreement.
3. The Board shall assist the Council in gathering information on production, consumption and stocks.
4. The Board shall submit its recommendations on the above matters to the Council for consideration.
5. The Board may set up ad hoc working groups to assist in fulfilling its mandate provided that their operating costs have no budgetary implications for the Organization.
6. Upon its establishment, the Board shall draw up its own rules and recommend them for adoption by the Council.
Composition of the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy
1. The Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy shall be composed of experts from all sectors of the cocoa economy, such as:
(a)
Associations from the trade and industry;
(b)
National and regional cocoa producer organisations, from both the public and private sectors;
(c)
National cocoa exporters’ organisations and farmers’ associations;
(d)
Cocoa research institutes; and
(e)
Other private sector associations or institutions having an interest in the cocoa economy.
2. These experts shall act in their personal capacity or on behalf of their respective associations.
3. The Board shall be composed of eight experts from exporting countries and eight experts from importing countries as defined in paragraph 1 of this Article. These experts shall be appointed by the Council every 2 cocoa years. The members of the Board may designate one or more alternates and advisers to be approved by the Council. In the light of the experience of the Board, the Council may increase the number of members of the Board.
4. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among its members. The chairmanship shall alternate between exporting and importing countries every 2 cocoa years.
Meetings of the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy
1. The Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy shall normally meet at the headquarters of the Organization, unless the Council decides otherwise. If, on invitation of any Member, the Consultative Board meets elsewhere than at the headquarters of the Organization, that Member shall pay the additional costs involved, as defined in the administrative rules of the Organization.
2. The Board shall normally meet twice a year alongside the regular sessions of the Council. The Board shall report regularly to the Council on its proceedings.
3. The meetings of the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy shall be open to all Members of the Organization as observers.
4. The Board may also invite eminent experts or personalities of high standing in a specific field, from the public and private sectors, including appropriate non-governmental organisations, having relevant expertise in aspects of the cocoa sector, to participate in its work and meetings.
