India is hosting a global event in sugar sector ‘ISO Council Meeting’ in New Delhi from 25^th till 27^th June, 2024. Delegates from more than 30 countries and representatives of many international organisations are joining to deliberate on critical issues of sugar and biofuel sector

As India is the world’s largest consumer and second largest producer of sugar, ISO Council nominated India as the Chair of the organisation for 2024. As part of the meeting, India is starting the series of events with industrial tour of the international delegates to one grain-based distillery at Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh on 24 June 2024 to showcase India’s adoption of latest technology in production of biofuels and other by-products.

On 25.06.2024, a workshop titled ‘Sugar and Biofuels – Emerging Vistas’ is being organised at Bharat Mandapam. Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy will inaugurate the workshop.

International delegates, top management of Indian sugar mills, industry associations like ISMA & NFCSF as well as technical experts are participating in the workshop. This forum is expected to bring an opportunity to more than 200 delegates from various organisations and parts of the world to discuss future perspective of the world on global sugar sector, biofuels, sustainability and role of farmers etc. This is also aimed to strengthen Global Biofuel Alliance, an initiative of Shri Narender Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in bringing together countries to promote development and adoption of sustainable biofuels in the world as an effort to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Many member countries of ISO and Global Biofuel Alliance are common and this can be another forum to expand the alliance and promotion of biofuels.

International Sugar Organisation (ISO) is a UN affiliated body having HQ at London. ISO has about 85 countries as members covering almost 90% of sugar production in the World. It is mandated to bring major sugar producing, consuming and trading nations together to bring mutual understanding and progressive approach in dealing with issues pertaining to the sugar sector. ISO has also been working on biofuels, especially, ethanol as sugarcane is the second major feedstock for ethanol production in the world.

Giving a glimpse of diverse and rich Indian culture is the motive behind a cultural programme scheduled on 25.06.2024 evening for the delegates coming from different parts of the world.

On 26.06.2024 and 27.06.2024, various Committee meetings of ISO will be held which are mainly focussed on various administrative and functional aspects of the Organisation. It also has presentation of some studies conducted by economists of ISO. Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, in his capacity of the Chairman of the Organisation, will be chairing the Meetings on 26 - 27 June 2024.

The programme is being concluded with a guided tour to the Red Fort of New Delhi on 27.06.2024 evening and visit to the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library, New Delhi on 28.06.2024.

Overall, the week-long programme is ensemble of brainstorming, discussion, academic studies regarding sugar and biofuel sector as well as administrative functioning of the International Sugar Organisation. This is also reflection of India’s leadership in the sector.

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Nihi Sharma