Brief history

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The International Consultative Cashew Council (CICC) is an intergovernmental organization promoting the cashew value chains worldwide. It was established on November 17, 2016, in Abidjan, on the sidelines of the 2nd edition of the International Exhibition of Cashew Processing Equipment and Technology (SIETTA). By adopting the convention establishing the CICC, the signatory countries confirmed the strategic importance of cashew as a lever for agricultural, economic, and social development in producing countries. The Organization aims to provide a framework for consultation and to promote the development of the cashew sector for member states through policy coordination and cooperation among states. To date, eleven countries are members of the CICC, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. It has international legal capacity, financial autonomy, and is open to all cashew-producing, processing, importing, and consuming countries. The headquarters of the CICC is based in Abidjan. The history of the CICC is marked by the milestones outlined below:

  • November 28, 2014, in Abidjan

The desire to create a platform for cashew-producing countries was expressed by participants at the closing ceremony of the 1st edition of SIETTA. Mandate given to Côte d’Ivoire through the Cotton and Cashew Council to coordinate reflections and actions to achieve this.

  • April 15, 2016, in Accra

Declaration supporting the creation of a platform for producing countries during a technical meeting of African stakeholders in Accra on sector challenges.

  • July 2016

Missions of international consultants commissioned by the Cotton and Cashew Council for the preparation of the draft convention to create a platform for cashew-producing countries.

  • November 16, 2016, in Abidjan

Meetings of experts from 10 African cashew-producing countries on the eve of the 2nd edition of SIETTA.

  • November 17, 2016

Signing of the convention to create the CICC by 5 countries (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Togo, and Burkina Faso) during SIETTA 2016:

Establishment of headquarters in Abidjan and mandate to Côte d’Ivoire for the operationalization of the CICC.

Establishment of the structure: 2 Permanent Bodies: Council of Ministers (Decision-making body comprising Ministers in charge of Agriculture and/or Industry and/or Trade in member countries) and the Executive Secretary (executive body). 3 Non-permanent Bodies: (i) Scientific Conference, (ii) Commission for the Promotion and Development of the Private Sector, (iii) Agricultural Production College.

Full members: All countries involved in the cashew sector that adhere to this convention by signing or ratification and approval by the Council of Ministers.

Observer members: Any country involved in the cashew sector/public or private organization and any technical and financial partner involved in the cashew value chain.

  • February 12, 2017, in Abidjan

Guinea-Bissau joined by signing the Convention.

  • July 5, 2017, in Abidjan

Ghana joined by signing the Convention.

  • September 28 in Abidjan

Meeting of experts representing 11 African producing countries and TFPs to review the technical documents for the operationalization of the CICC prepared by consultants.

  • September 29, 2017, in Abidjan

Mali and Guinea Conakry joined by signing the convention during the opening ceremony of the 1st Session of the Council of Ministers of the CICC.

  • September 29, 2017, in Abidjan

First Session of the Council of Ministers of the CICC, bringing together 6 Ministers and 3 representatives of Ministers from 9 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Senegal, Togo), assisted by their experts.

  • August 30, 2018, in Cotonou

Second Council of Ministers of the International Consultative Cashew Council (CICC) to validate documents for the operationalization of the CICC.

Nigeria joined by signing the Convention through the Federal Minister of Agriculture of Nigeria, the Honorable Mustapha Baba Shehuri.

  • November 12, 2018, in Abidjan

Signing of the headquarters agreement between the Ivorian Government and the Acting President of the CICC.

  • July 10, 2019, in Abidjan

Cameroon joined by signing the Convention, bringing the total number of CICC member countries to 10.

  • December 17-20, 2019, in Ouagadougou

Meeting of CICC experts from December 17 to 19 in preparation for the third ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers.

Third Session of the Council on December 20, 2019. Mr. Harouna KABORE, Minister of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts of Burkina Faso, took over the presidency of the CICC on behalf of the country.

Appointment of the first Executive Secretary of the CICC, Mr. TANDJIEKPON Mahoutin André, of Beninese nationality, following an international recruitment call open to member countries.

  • December 23, 2020, in Ouagadougou

Signing of the Executive Secretary’s contract for his first term and formal installation in his duties.

  • January 2020 to March 2022

Benin served as the base for the Executive Secretary to carry out his mission, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted human mobility between countries, and partly while waiting for the necessary formalities for obtaining the headquarters of the Institution in Abidjan.

  • December 17-20, 2021, in Yaoundé

Meeting of CICC experts from December 17 to 19 in preparation for the fourth ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers.

Fourth Session of the Council on December 20, 2021. Mr. Gabriel MBAIROBE, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Cameroon, took over the presidency of the CICC on behalf of the country.

  • March 2022

Commissioning of the CICC headquarters in Abidjan with the installation of the first basic staff.

  • September 14, 2022

Recognition of the accreditation of the Executive Secretary of the CICC by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire with the issuance of the Special Card necessary for implementing the contents of the headquarters agreement signed between the Institution and the host country.