New York (VNA) – The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution designating October 1 as International Coffee Day, aiming to raise global awareness of the economic, social and cultural significance of coffee and its role in sustainable development.
The Resolution A/Res/80/249 was approved on March 10 during the 80th session of the assembly. The initiative was proposed by Brazil together with a core group of 18 countries, including Vietnam, and received co-sponsorship from 97 UN member states – the highest level of support among draft resolutions considered at the current session.
The strong backing reflects the international community’s recognition of the coffee sector’s importance in promoting socio-economic development and sustainable livelihoods for millions of people worldwide.
The resolution highlights that coffee is not only a key agricultural commodity but also carries profound cultural and social values, closely linked to the traditions and daily life of many countries. The global coffee industry plays a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of millions of households, particularly smallholder farmers, while generating significant export revenues for developing economies.
It also acknowledges the contribution of the global coffee value chain to economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction, as well as its role in advancing food security, gender equality and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
For Vietnam – one of the world’s leading coffee producers and exporters, the adoption of the resolution holds special significance. As a member of the core group promoting the initiative, Vietnam actively worked with partners to advance the proposal, helping strengthen international cooperation for the sustainable development of the global coffee value chain while promoting the image and value of Vietnamese coffee worldwide.
The resolution is expected to encourage governments, international organisations and stakeholders to deepen cooperation in supporting coffee-growing communities and fostering innovation in the sector./.
