Driving Policy Harmonization and Sustainable Practices: GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew at the World Cashew Conference in Dubai
Last month, from February 21st to 23rd, GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew took part in the World Cashew Conference (WCC) in Dubai. It was an opportunity for cashew industry players to connect, share insights and knowledge.
The central topic of discussion was the impact of policies on global cashew trade. Stakeholders, thus, dialogued extensively about the content of policies, motivating factors for regulatory decisions, and new developments on the global market and how to respond effectively for mutual benefit.
During the opening panel, Mrs. Beate Weiskopf, the project leader for GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew, urged West African cashew producing countries to harmonize policies, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to drive progress in the region – and to invest more into sustainability answering on increasing EU market demands for more sustainable and traceable products. a call that resonated with many.
Policymakers and key industry representatives from African and Asian producing countries, and industry bodies like The Sustainable Nut Initiative (SNI) and Association of Food Industries(AFI) participated in a closed-door meeting on policies, moderated by Madam Mary Adzanyo, Component Lead for Private Sector Development, GIZ/MOVE. The session deliberated on regulatory measures in the various countries, resultant challenges to the industry in the past year and the opportunities inherent and agreed on a joint way forward.
Nunana Addo, Component Lead for Policy Advice, GIZ/MOVE, moderated a CasheWomen breakfast meeting and a panel discussion on expanding domestic markets. Aside facilitating networking among industry women, the session also hosted Rita Weidinger, Development & Public-Private Partnership Expert, who shared empowering insights on visioning.
Sustainability was another key discussion topic at this year’s WCC. Luis Rodriguez, Program Manager, DG INTPA presented on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD) and its implications for agricultural value chains, as well as the new EU Cashew Initiative, which focuses on promoting sustainable production, processing, access to finance, policy dialogue in nine countries and strengthening global trade relationships.
WCC 2025 was attended by over 600 cashew stakeholders from 45 countries.
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The Joint Action is jointly co-financed by the European Union under the Samoa agreement with the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States(OACPS) and by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.