The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is the main intergovernmental organization for coffee, bringing together producing and consuming countries to tackle the challenges facing the world coffee sector through international cooperation. It makes a practical contribution to the world coffee economy and to improving standards of living in developing countries by:
Photos: Ayoub mzee
The Council is the highest authority of the Organization and is composed of representatives of each Member country. It undertakes the following activities among others:Approval of the annual programme of activities and budget
Admission or suspension of Members
Settlement of disputes
Matters concerning the extension or termination of the Agreement.
Photos: Ayoub mzeeSustainable development ,Food safety
Photos: Ayoub mzee
The KenyaMinister of Co-operative Development and Marketing HON. Peter Njeru Ndwiga MP with colleagues at the Headquaters
The story of how coffee growing and drinking spread around the world is one of the greatest and most romantic in history. It starts in the Horn of Africa, in Ethiopia, where the coffee tree probably originated in the province of Kaffa. There are various fanciful but unlikely stories surrounding the discovery of the properties of roasted coffee beans. One story has it that an Ethiopian goatherd was amazed at the lively behaviour of his goats after chewing red coffee berries. What we know with more certainty is that the succulent outer cherry flesh was eaten by slaves taken from present day Sudan into Yemen and Arabia, through the great port of its day, Mocha, now synonymous with coffee. Coffee was certainly being cultivated in Yemen by the 15th century and probably much earlier than that.
Photos: Ayoub mzee
Ayoub mzee with the chief scientist at the international coffee organisation
The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee can vary greatly, depending on its origin or the composition of the blend, the method of brewing and the strength of the brew. Instant, or soluble, coffee generally contains less caffeine than roast and ground coffee, but may be consumed in greater volume. Robusta coffees have about twice as much caffeine as arabicas. A 'cup' is usually understood to contain 150 ml (5 oz in the United States) but an espresso may be as small as 40 ml.
Embassy of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
LONDON
STATEMENT ON ETHIOPIA
· Ethiopia is now a democracy with regular multi-party elections – the third national elections took place in May last year when almost a third of seats were won by opposition parties. There are now 116 women MPs.
· The democratisation process is ongoing in three key areas. First, in light of the experience of last year’s elections, there has been dialogue between government and opposition parties who have agreed on changes to how Parliament operates to make it more inclusive. Political parties which were voted into the Parliament adopted the Rules of Procedure and Code of Conduct of the House.
· Second, the press law has been reviewed in light of the experience of four countries – the UK, India, Canada and Germany – by independent consultants from these countries commissioned by Parliament. The draft press law prepared by these consultants will be discussed by all stakeholders - that is, the party in power, the opposition parties in Parliament, civic groups, the private press, government and semi-autonomous print and electronic media and academics.
· Third, the National Electoral Board rules were reviewed and revised to improve the way that representatives are voted into Parliament and onto other bodies. Once the new procedures are in place, there will be elections for Addis Ababa which currently has a provisional administration.
· Ethiopia will meet all the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
· Ethiopia’s economy has grown at a rate of 9% in the past three years and is expected to grow at 10% per year for the next five years. Ethiopia’s revenue from exports has surpassed the $1 billion threshold for the first time. Ethiopia used to rely on the export of two or three primary commodities, but export diversity is gaining momentum, especially in the domain of agro-processing such as leather and cut flowers. Tourism is also increasing, bringing new jobs, particularly in eco-tourism which helps local communities – the new Simien Mountain lodge being just one example of a successful joint-venture partnership.
· As regards education, over 80% of Ethiopian children now have access to primary education. There are now more than 13,500 elementary schools and 550 secondary schools. Ethiopia had only one university in 1984. It now has eight universities and work has begun on an additional 13 universities. Most woredas (districts) have at least one high school, all of which are connected by satellite in a programme called School-Net.
· Concerning health, over 80% of the population now have access to health care with improved access in key areas such as malaria prevention – more than 13 million bed- nets are being distributed this year.
· Irrigation and water harvesting have brought advances in farming and increased yields. Dams have been built, thousands of wells have been sunk and more of both are on the way. A record number of roads have been built and more are being built and others refurbished.
· Ethiopia’s future is guaranteed. Ethiopia has the right policies in place and has achieved encouraging results.
We want all Ethiopians to engage with the ongoing democratic process back home to help make Ethiopia truly great, once again in this, our Millennial year
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