ICAC

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is an organisation of Member governments that have an interest in cotton and the textile value chain. Formed in 1939, the ICAC is the only intergovernmental body for cotton producing, consuming and trading countries and is one of only seven International Commodity Bodies recognised by the United Nations.

The ICAC is involved in the development of a number of innovative projects designed to assist farmers — especially smallholders — and to provide sustainable best practices for increasing yields. These include the development of a Soil Health and Pest Management App and Virtual Reality Cotton Training Programmes.

In 2019, the ICAC also launched a global cotton initiative, in conjunction with the WTO, FAO, ITC and UNCTAD, called ‘World Cotton Day’ which is held annually on 7 October — and will be forever, with the United Nations recognising 7 October as World Cotton Day in perpetuity on the permanent UN Calendar.