International Coffee Day 2024: A Celebration of Collaboration for Collective Action in the Global Coffee Sector
- ICO Unveils the Theme and Message for This Year’s Celebration: “Coffee: Your Daily Ritual, Our Shared Journey”
As International Coffee Day (ICD) approaches on 1 October 2024, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) invites the global coffee community to unite in celebrating this cherished beverage and the collaboration behind every cup. This year’s theme, “Collaboration,” underscores the essential role of collective action in achieving sustainability within the coffee industry. Under the campaign message, “Coffee: your daily ritual, our shared journey,” the ICO aims to highlight the often unseen partnerships that shape the global coffee value chain, from farm to cup.
With 2025 designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Cooperatives, the ICO’s campaign draws inspiration from this milestone, emphasizing collaboration as the key to a more sustainable and equitable coffee sector. The ICD 2024 campaign will showcase how collaboration drives progress in the coffee industry, utilizing diverse media assets—videos, posters, and postcards, available in multiple languages—that visually portray the power of partnerships within the coffee value chain.
The Story Behind International Coffee Day
Launched on 1 October 2015 by the ICO, International Coffee Day highlights coffee as one of the most consumed beverages globally. It serves as a tribute to the millions of people who make the coffee industry possible—from farmers to consumers—while raising awareness about the challenges facing the coffee sector, such as economic inequalities, environmental concerns, and sustainability.
The day also provides a platform for celebrating coffee’s diverse traditions and varieties from around the world, exploring the intricacies of cultivation, roasting, and tasting. Through global events and discussions, International Coffee Day advocates for sustainable agricultural practices and fair trade, promoting the long-term health of the coffee industry.
Objectives of International Coffee Day
Over the years, International Coffee Day has centered around several key objectives, each aimed at fostering a stronger, more resilient coffee sector:
- Supporting Coffee Farmers: Many coffee farmers continue to face economic challenges due to fluctuating global market prices. International Coffee Day seeks to shine a light on these issues and mobilize support for farmers through various sustainability campaigns.
- Promoting Sustainability: The celebration emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices, encouraging the coffee industry to adopt methods that protect the environment and ensure the long-term viability of coffee production.
- Raising Awareness of High-Quality Coffee: ICD serves as an opportunity to highlight the importance of high-quality coffee, encouraging a culture of coffee appreciation, tasting, and education.
The 2024 Campaign: Collaboration for the Future
The 2024 International Coffee Day campaign embraces the theme of Collaboration. As the world prepares for 2025’s International Year of Cooperatives, the ICO is placing a spotlight on the importance of collective action across the coffee value chain. Whether at the farming, roasting, or retail level, collaboration is seen as critical to addressing the challenges that face the coffee sector and to driving meaningful progress.
Vanúsia Nogueira, Executive Director of the ICO, shared her thoughts on this year’s theme, saying, “The ICO’s campaign for ICD 2024 advocates for a united approach to fostering a more sustainable and equitable coffee sector. From farm to cup, collaboration is essential in promoting sustainability, supporting coffee farmers, nurturing a balanced market, and ensuring the satisfaction of conscientious consumers.”
The campaign message, “Coffee: your daily ritual, our shared journey,” encapsulates the role of partnerships in delivering that perfect cup of coffee enjoyed by millions each day. The ICO invites stakeholders from across the coffee sector—farmers, traders, roasters, and consumers—to participate in this collective effort by sharing the campaign’s resources, using the hashtags #ICD2024 and #EmbraceCollaboration, and participating in local and global activities.
Engaging the Global Community
To make this year’s celebration even more interactive, the ICD 2024 campaign offers a wide range of resources to inspire participation. Fourteen unique posters, available in multiple languages, depict examples of collaboration in the coffee sector. Participants can personalize these materials through the campaign’s redesigned website and share their stories of collaboration on social media. By doing so, the ICO hopes to spark a wider conversation about how partnerships are essential for building a more sustainable coffee industry.
In addition to digital assets, the ICO encourages the organization of local events, such as coffee tastings, community activities, and educational seminars. The ICD 2024 website features an interactive map highlighting coffee-related events around the world, and a dedicated section allows event organizers to submit their activities, which will be shared with a global network of coffee enthusiasts.
A Call to Action for All Coffee Lovers
The ICO calls on everyone involved in the coffee sector—from coffee growers to casual consumers—to embrace the spirit of collaboration this International Coffee Day. By sharing the campaign’s resources, participating in events, and spreading the message of #ICD2024 and #EmbraceCollaboration, individuals and organizations can help strengthen the global coffee sector.
In doing so, you are contributing to a larger, collective effort that supports sustainability, improves the livelihoods of coffee farmers, and promotes a fairer and more equitable coffee market. Whether you’re hosting an event, joining a community coffee tasting, or simply enjoying your daily brew, your participation in ICD 2024 helps to celebrate the shared journey that coffee represents.
For more information, event registration, and campaign assets, visit the ICO’s website at www.icocoffee.org.
