Policy, Data and Field-Level Impact in Focus for Better Cotton Conference in Istanbul
Image By Courtesy of BETTER COTTON
20 May, Geneva – Better Cotton is delighted to announce the upcoming Better Cotton Conference, scheduled to take place on 26-27 June at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center in Türkiye, a nation renowned for its exemplary textile manufacturing. This year's conference will host over 200 stakeholders from across the cotton supply chain, both in-person and online. Registration remains open for those interested in attending this pivotal event.
Under the unifying theme of ‘Accelerating Impact,’ the conference will address four critical areas: Putting People First, Driving Change at Field Level, Understanding Policy & Industry Trends, and Reporting on Data & Traceability. These themes will guide discussions on the sector’s most pressing issues and innovations, including regenerative agriculture, decent work across the supply chain, traceability, and sustainability legislation.
Antonie Fountain, managing director at VOICE Network, will serve as the esteemed host of the conference. The event features a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers from three continents and various disciplines:
Aarti Kapoor, Founder and Executive Director of human rights agency Embode, will inaugurate the ‘Putting People First’ theme.
Lewis Perkins, President of the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), will lead the discussion on ‘Driving Change at Field Level.’
Dr Vidhura Ralapanawe, Executive Vice President for Innovation and Sustainability at global apparel manufacturer Epic Group, will introduce the theme ‘Understanding Policy & Industry Trends.’
Tülin Akın, founder of Turkish farmer social enterprise Tabit, will headline the ‘Reporting on Data & Traceability’ theme.
Better Cotton Farmers will play a significant role throughout the programme, establishing a direct connection between industry stakeholders and cotton farming communities from Türkiye, India, Mozambique, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and the US.
Day 1: Putting People First
The first theme covers the social dimensions of cotton farming, emphasizing sustainable livelihoods and decent work. Discussions will delve into farmer remuneration and the role of producer organizations in supporting these goals.
Day 1: Driving Change at Field Level
This theme will explore various topics ranging from women’s empowerment and farmer financing mechanisms to regenerative agriculture and cross-commodity collaboration. A pertinent discussion on carbon markets will kickstart the sessions, examining the benefits and challenges of these frameworks for smallholder cotton farmers.
Day 2: Understanding Policy & Industry Trends
The focus will shift to the changing legislative landscape affecting the fashion and textile sectors. Panel discussions will cover how stakeholders can navigate emerging regulations and how performance claims can bolster company sustainability goals.
Day 2: Reporting on Data & Traceability
The final theme underscores the importance of data in driving enhancements both at the field level and within cotton supply chains. Better Cotton will reveal insights from its 2023 India Impact Report and provide updates on traceability initiatives.
The two-day conference will feature a diverse array of organizations offering their perspectives, including:
Marks & Spencer
WWF
IDH
Solidaridad
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
2050
World Agroforestry
Olam Agri
Networking Opportunities
Attendees will have ample opportunities to network, beginning with a welcome reception on Tuesday, 25 June. On 26 June, a networking dinner and the Better Cotton Member Awards will be held during a cruise along the Bosphorus, offering stunning views of Istanbul’s historic skyline.
Registration
To join this influential gathering, register via this link. We eagerly anticipate your participation as we convene the industry to drive impactful change.
Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our event sponsors: USB Certification, Gildan, Cotton Incorporated, Artistic Milliners, Louis Dreyfus Company, Ortablu, Spectrum, Kipas Textiles, Supima, Cotton Brazil, Source Intelligence, San JFS, Global Organic Textile Standard Türkiye, Koton, and RBDC.
About Better Cotton
Better Cotton is the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative, dedicated to helping cotton communities thrive while protecting and restoring the environment. In the 2021-22 cotton season, through our network of field-level partners, 22% of global cotton production was Better Cotton, spanning 22 countries. Our initiatives reached 2.8 million farmers, including over 2.2 million Better Cotton licensed farmers. As we face challenging times, Better Cotton is committed to meeting these challenges head-on.
