Honduras Signs the International Coffee Agreement 2022 and to Host the 140th Session of the International Coffee Council

The Republic of Honduras has reaffirmed its leadership in the global coffee sector by signing the International Coffee Agreement 2022 (ICA 2022) at the headquarters of the International Coffee Organization (ICO) in London.

As a founding Member of the ICO, Honduras has played a pivotal role in shaping the global coffee landscape over the past six decades. The signing ceremony was led by His Excellency Eduardo Enrique Reina, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Honduras, accompanied by His Excellency Ambassador Iván Romero-Martínez, Permanent Representative of Honduras to the ICO. Ambassador Romero, who served as Chair of the International Coffee Council during 2021–2022, played a central role in the negotiations that resulted in the adoption of the ICA 2022.

By signing the Agreement, Honduras joins other Member countries in reaffirming their commitment to inclusive dialogue between coffee-exporting and importing nations, as well as with private-sector partners. This united effort aims to build a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable coffee value chain that benefits producers, consumers, and all stakeholders.

The ICA 2022 is particularly significant for Honduras, where coffee is a cornerstone of cultural identity, rural development, and economic progress. Through forward-looking policies and public-private investment, Honduras has emerged as the fourth-largest Arabica coffee producer in the world and the top exporter in the Central American and Mexican region. In 2023, the country exported more than $1.5 billion worth of coffee to over 65 destinations, accounting for nearly 12% of its total merchandise exports.

In a further demonstration of its active role in the international coffee community, Honduras also announced its intention to host the 140th Session of the International Coffee Council, to be held in San Pedro Sula from 22 to 26 September 2025. The event will bring together global coffee leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss pressing issues and opportunities for the sector. Attendees will also have the chance to experience Honduran hospitality, explore the country’s rich natural and cultural heritage, and visit world-class coffee farms.

Gerardo Patacconi, Head of Operations at the ICO, welcomed the announcement, stating:

“We are deeply privileged to welcome Honduras as a signatory of the ICA 2022. In the spirit of international cooperation, we celebrate the diversity of coffee traditions and commit ourselves to safeguarding and promoting the sector’s sustainability. We are confident that collaboration through the ICO will help mobilize resources, support Honduran producers, and engage global consumers in recognizing the quality, environmental stewardship, and innovation of Honduran coffee.”

In his official remarks, Secretary Eduardo Enrique Reina emphasized the importance of Honduras’s participation in the new Agreement and its upcoming role as host of the 140th ICC Session:

“I am profoundly honoured to be in London today, personally signing this historic agreement at the ICO headquarters. This milestone reaffirms Honduras’s place in the global coffee community and our dedication to advancing coffee diplomacy. We are equally proud to confirm our intention to host the 140th Session of the International Coffee Council. We warmly invite ICO Member governments, industry leaders, and development partners to join us in Honduras for this important gathering. We view the ICO and the ICA 2022 as essential frameworks for achieving our vision for the coffee industry—both nationally and globally—and we look forward to building a bright, inclusive future for coffee together.”