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The role of the International Sugar Organization
The International Sugar Organization The International Sugar
Organization (ISO) is the unique intergovernmental body dedicated to
improving conditions on the world sugar market through debate,
analysis, special studies and transparent statistics.
The ISO is based in London, tthe 81 member states of the ISO represent (based on data for 2006):
The ISO exists to administer the internationally negotiated
1992 International Sugar
Agreement (ISA), the objectives of which are:
to ensure enhanced international cooperation in connection with
world sugar matters and related issues. to provide a forum for intergovernmental consultations on sugar
and on ways to improve the world sugar economy. to facilitate trade by collecting and providing information on
the world sugar market and other sweeteners. to encourage increased demand for sugar, particularly for
non-traditional uses.
To fulfil these objectives the ISO undertakes many distinct
activities:
The ISO is the only worldwide forum for the exchange of views by
major producing, consuming and trading countries at an
intergovernmental level. Council sessions, held twice a year in May
and November, afford the opportunity for policy issues to be debated
at a multi-lateral level. The ISO contributes significantly to improved market transparency
through its long established and widely recognized statistical and
analytical activities. The Market Evaluation, Consumption &
Statistics Committee (MECAS), also meeting twice a year, allows a
serious and in depth debate of the short term market perspective
based on the ISO Secretariat's independent view, longer term
perspectives and studies carried out by the Secretariat and others
of issues and problems of common interest to members. The ISO holds annual
seminars with the objective of increasing knowledge and
understanding of the sugar market and related problems. Starting in
1992, ISO Seminars have already established themselves as important
and well organized events on the sugar calendar, not only providing
a wealth of information but giving the opportunity for decision
makers representing growers, processors, trade, governments, banks
and press to gather together. The ISO holds Workshops on subjects of special interest and
importance to the sugar world. Topics covered include: The
Implications of the GATT Uruguay/WTO Round for Sugar, Alcohol & the
Environment, alternative Uses of Sugar and By-products, Alternative
Uses of Bagasse, Developments, Opportunities in Sugar Technology
(beet/cane) and Diversification, World Market Situation and Impact
of Latin America on Sugar Markets. Cogeneration, RTAs, Alternative Sweeteners, Prices/Exchange Rates, Futures, Freight Rates, Consumption patterns. -
As the designated International Commodity Body
(ICB) for sugar for the Amsterdam based Common Fund for Commodities
(CFC), the ISO is uniquely able to formulate and sponsor
projects from developing countries and countries in transition
seeking finance from the first and second accounts of the CFC. Since
the CFC is a commodity-wide lending agency, projects to improve
productivity, widen product-base and diversify vertically the sugar
industry benefit all ISO members, not just the country where the
project is sited. Benefits derived form CFC projects enable members
to repay their ISO contribution many times over. ISO
CFC Projects.
The ISO will continue to expand its activities. Expanding from its
traditional areas of sugar statistics, short and long term forecasting
and market analysis, the ISO is tackling issues like sugar and health,
sugar and the environment, fortification of sugar with Vitamin A,
Organic Sugar and the promotion of sugar. Product coverage has been
expanded to deal with related or associated products like alcohol,
molasses and alternative sweeteners, both calorific and non-calorific, Biofuels, Carbon Credit Trading.
ISO Member
States click here
Publications:
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