Establishment of the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy
Article 44
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.