Dubai – Qahwa World
The International Coffee Organization has announced what it described as “a historic moment for the global coffee community” after the United Nations General Assembly formally designated 1 October as International Coffee Day.
According to the announcement, the decision recognizes coffee’s profound importance to global economies, cultures, and livelihoods, highlighting the role the beverage plays across producing and consuming nations alike.
The milestone follows the adoption of Resolution A/80/L.44 by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 March 2026. The resolution, introduced by Brazil, received 150 votes in favor, with one vote against from the United States and one abstention from Canada.
Under the resolution, 1 October will now be officially recognized every year as International Coffee Day, and all countries, United Nations bodies, and relevant stakeholders are invited to organize activities that highlight the economic, social, and environmental significance of coffee.
The resolution also invites the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to lead the annual observance in cooperation with the International Coffee Organization.
- Elevating an existing global celebration
International Coffee Day has already been observed globally on 1 October since 2015, when the initiative was first launched by the International Coffee Organization during Expo 2015 Milan.
The new United Nations designation elevates the observance to an official international day within the UN system, giving the coffee sector broader global recognition and strengthening the visibility of the millions of people who depend on coffee for their livelihoods.
In its statement, the International Coffee Organization noted that the decision reflects the collective efforts of its member countries, institutional partners, and international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, to raise awareness of the coffee sector’s importance.
- Supporting farmers and sustainability
Coffee remains one of the world’s most widely traded agricultural commodities and supports millions of farmers, workers, traders, and communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The International Coffee Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization see the UN recognition as an opportunity to strengthen global attention to the sector’s key challenges and opportunities, including sustainability, farmer livelihoods, and climate-related risks affecting coffee production.
Qu Dongyu welcomed the decision, stating that the new international day will help raise awareness of coffee’s socio-economic importance and reinforce its role in supporting efforts to reduce poverty worldwide.
For the global coffee community—from smallholder farmers to exporters, roasters, and consumers—the recognition marks a significant step toward greater international acknowledgment of the industry’s cultural and economic impact.
With the adoption of the UN resolution, International Coffee Day on 1 October is expected to gain even broader global participation, as governments, organizations, and coffee professionals organize events and initiatives celebrating the beverage and the people behind every cup.
