LONDON,  ENGLAND — The International Grains Council (IGC) has appointed Dr. Florence Kaibi of Kenya as its 2022-23 chairperson, the IGC said in a July 1 press release.

“Kenya’s chairmanship comes at a time when the global trade and food systems are facing challenges that require innovation, resilience and partnership in order to promote stability and sustainability,” said Kaibi, minister counsellor and agriculture attaché, Kenya Embassy to Belgium, Mission to the European Union (EU), Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and World Customs Organization (WCO).

During its chairmanship, Kenya is particularly interested in working with the IGC Secretariat and IGC’s members to broaden market information and trade cooperation in the global grains, oilseeds, rice and pulses markets, which are essential in addressing market uncertainty and food security concerns. 

The IGC Secretariat will continue its medium-term priority to improve its price matrix for the global pulses market and develop its analysis of world sunflower seed supply and demand, as well as monitoring the sunflower product markets.

Kenya is also interested in promoting dialogue between governments on grains trade policies and increasing the IGC’s membership, as well as increasing cooperation between the public and private sectors to enhance the resilience of the global trade and food systems.    

The IGC Secretariat will support the chair’s efforts by continuing to organize regular webinars between the public and private sectors on the main issues affecting the grains value chain during her chairmanship.