Participants focused on translating identified needs into actionable investment opportunities and presented findings from national and regional consultations. They also validated the terms of reference of the Partenariat, including its membership framework, geographical scope and core functions.

In his opening remarks, WTO Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam emphasized the importance of strengthening the cotton–textile–garment value chains in the C-4+ countries through increased value addition, expanded trade opportunities and sustainable development outcomes. He noted that the objective of the meeting was threefold: to present the national and regional reports emerging from the consultations; to highlight national priorities and investment needs; and to explore the technical assistance and financing options proposed by financial institutions in response to these findings. His full remarks (in French) are here.

Ms Kanayo Awani, Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President for Intra-African and Export Development, underscored the need to address issues relating to low yields and processing capacity, climate change, climate variability, market fluctuations, global cotton prices, and limited infrastructure and technology, which hinder productivity and efficiency. To be able to upgrade and integrate into the global cotton value chain, the C-4+ countries need these issues to be tackled, she said.

Over the two-day gathering, the Steering Committee engaged in thematic sessions on sustainable practices in cotton production and on financing mechanisms for value chain development aligned with the outcomes of the national consultations. A high-level panel explored strategies to unlock investment for cotton industrialization and local transformation in the C-4+ region.

The meeting concluded with forward-looking discussions on supporting C-4+ priorities, including the establishment of a dedicated C-4+ Partenariat Support Fund to facilitate participation in capacity-building activities and key international meetings. Participants also discussed preparations for the upcoming World Cotton Day, to be hosted in October 2025 by Chad in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC).

Attendees included representatives from the WTO, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO),the  International Labour Organization (ILO), Better Cotton (BC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), FIFA, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). Also present were representatives of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and development partners such as China and the European Union, as well as representatives of the C-4+ countries.

The private sector was represented by Gherzi,  a textile management consulting and engineering company, which contributed a technical presentation providing critical insights and helping guide the discussions that followed. The participation of Otto International ScanThor, a sourcing and supply chain firm, provided fresh momentum to the Partenariat initiative’s efforts to enhance textile and apparel sourcing from the C4+ countries.

The next opportunity to carry forward these discussions will be the Director-General’s Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton meeting scheduled for 14 May in Geneva.

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