Vacancy at the ICAC – Executive Director Vacancy

Vacancy at the ICAC – Executive Director Vacancy

Date Posted: 24 Feb, 2017

VACANCY AT THE ICAC
Executive Director Vacancy
Job Description
The Challenge Ahead
The mission of the ICAC is to assist governments  in fostering a healthy world cotton economy. The
Committee achieves its mission by providing transparency  to the world cotton market, by serving as
a clearinghouse  for technical information on cotton production and by serving as a forum for
discussion of cotton issues of international significance. The role of the ICAC  is to raise
awareness  of emerging  issues,  provide  information  relevant  to the solving  of problems  and
to foster cooperation  in the achievement  of common  objectives.  By serving  as an objective
statistical  observer  and by bringing together producing,  consuming  and trading countries and
all segments  of the cotton industry, the ICAC serves a unique role as a catalyst for constructive
change.
There have been six Executive Directors of ICAC since 1946. The challenges  for the seventh will be
to provide strategic leadership and management  acumen so as to enhance the effectiveness  and thus
the relevance of the organization.  The ICAC must help members  strengthen  the cotton industry by
serving as the premier forum in the world for discussion  of cotton matters of international
significance  while strengthening  the core functions of the Secretariat related to information
gathering, analysis and dissemination.
Job Description
The Executive Director must drive the ICAC forward by providing both strategic leadership and
competent management to ensure that:
•    The statistical  and analytical  reports  of the organization  are timely, accurate,  relevant
 and accessible and increasingly serve as tools of industry and government decision-making;
•    The  work  of  the  Technical   Information   Section  fosters  improvements   in  cotton
science  through increased collaboration among researchers combined with timely dissemination of
research results;
•    Membership   in   ICAC   increases   to   include   all   major   countries   involved   in
cotton   production, consumption, and trade;
•    Governments  increasingly  look to ICAC as the forum  for discussion  and as a clearinghouse
for best practices in programs involving cotton production, processing, trade and consumption.
Specific Tasks
The executive director is:
•    Treasurer of ICAC;
•    Secretary General of the Advisory Committee;
•    Secretary of the Standing Committee and its subordinate bodies,
•    Custodian of all records of ICAC;
•    Responsible for arrangements with host governments for plenary meetings; and
•    Responsible for preparation and supervision of the budget of the Secretariat.
The executive director has:
•    Full responsibility for the work program of the Secretariat;
•    Responsibility  for the  preparation  of the  agenda,  timetables,  technical  documents,
proceedings,  notices,  and minutes of meetings;
2
•    Responsibility  for matters of protocol and for communication  with governments,  other
international  bodies, and with national bodies interested in the work of ICAC.
•    Responsibility  for such  other  duties  or responsibilities  as are assigned  by the Advisory
 Committee  or by the
Standing Committee.
The Executive Director reports to the Chair of the Standing Committee in Washington and works
closely with all members of the Standing Committee and with officials from Members. The Executive
Director represents the ICAC before other multilateral   organizations   and   before
international   and   national   commodity   and   cotton   industry   companies   and
organizations.
Requirements  for application:
•    Ten  years  of  professional  experience,  including  at  least  five  years  working  with
an  agricultural  commodity industry, preferably cotton;
•    Experience   in  agricultural   commodities,   including   policy  matters  related  to
production,   processing,   trade, marketing, research and economic analysis. Experience in the
cotton sector will be considered an advantage;
•    Executive managerial experience – a proven record managing staff, programs and finances;
•    International exposure – previous work dealing with governments and international
organizations;
•    A  master’s   or   equivalent   degree.   A  degree   in   economics,   science,
engineering,   commerce,   business administration or law will be preferred;
•    Full command of the English language, including proven ability in written and oral
communication;  proficiency in one or more of the other official languages of the ICAC: Arabic,
French, Russian, or Spanish, is desirable.
•    Citizenship of an ICAC Member at the time of appointment.
•    All candidates shall provide contact information for at least three references. References
will be contacted only in the case of short-listed candidates;
•    Short-listed  candidates  will be asked to submit a 1-2 page vision statement  on the future
of the ICAC and be interviewed using digital video conference software;
•    Final candidates may be invited to Washington for interviews.
Employment conditions:
The  contract  of  the  Executive  Director  is  governed  by  the  Staff  Regulations  of  the
ICAC   https://www.icac.org/wp- content/uploads/2012/03/staffreg.pdf. The initial contract term for
the position of Executive Director will start no later than
1 September 2017, but preferably earlier, and last run until December 31, 2021. The initial
contract may be renewed upon satisfactory performance.
The salary for the position is that of UN grade D-1, Step III, with dependents, adjusted for
Washington, DC. Contributions to a staff retirement plan are determined  as under the UN system.
Other employment  benefits include a contributory  life, disability and health insurance plan and
provisions for annual and sick leave.
Applications should be sent to:  EDApplication@ICAC.org.
Applications  will be compiled by the Secretariat  and sent to members of the Task Force for
evaluation.  The closing date for applications is 17 April 2017.
Current  ICAC  Members:  Argentina,  Australia,  Brazil,  Burkina  Faso,  Cameroon,  Chad,  Côte
d’Ivoire,  Egypt,  India, Kazakhstan,  Kenya,  Korea,  Mali, Mozambique,  Pakistan,  Russia,  South
Africa, Sudan,  Switzerland,  Taiwan,  Tanzania, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, United States, Uzbekistan,
and Zimbabwe.
Suspended Members: Iran, Nigeria and Zambia
Candidates for ICAC Membership: Bangladesh and European Union.
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The Secretariat of the Committee publishes information related to world cotton production, supply,
demand and prices, and provides technical information on cotton production technology. Detailed
statistics are found bimonthly in COTTON: Review of the World Situation,
$200 per year via email, $245 per year in hard copy. A monthly outlook is available by email for
$320 per year. Access to the latest weekly estimates of world cotton supply and use by the
Secretariat is available on the Internet for $490 per year. Access Secretariat reports at
www.icac.org
COMITÉ CONSULTATIF INTERNATIONAL DU COTON
1629 K Street NW, Suite 702, Washington DC 20006 USA
Téléphone +1-202-463-6660 • Fax +1-202-463-6950 • Email secretariat@icac.org
Du Secrétariat
  à publier le 24 février 2017
POSTE VACANT À L’ICAC
Poste vacant du Directeur exécutif
Description du poste
Le défi à relever
La mission de l’ICAC consiste à aider les gouvernements  à promouvoir  une économie cotonnière
mondiale saine. Le Comité accomplit   sa  mission  en  assurant  la  transparence   du  marché
cotonnier   à  l’échelle  planétaire,   en  servant  de  centre d’information  technique  sur la
production  cotonnière  et en faisant office de forum de discussion  relatif aux enjeux cotonniers
de  portée  internationale.   Le  rôle  de  l’ICAC  est  d’accroître  la  sensibilisation   aux
questions  émergentes,  de  fournir  des informations  pertinentes  pour  la  résolution  des
problèmes  et  de  faciliter  la  coopération  en  vue  d’atteindre  les  objectifs communs.   En
étant  un  observateur   statistique   objectif   et  en  rassemblant   les  pays  producteurs,
consommateurs   et commerciaux,   ainsi  que  tous  les  segments  de  la  filière  cotonnière,
l’ICAC  joue  un  rôle  unique  de  catalyseur  pour  un changement constructif.
L’ICAC a connu six directeurs  exécutifs depuis 1946. Les défis pour le sixième directeur exécutif
consisteront  à exercer une direction stratégique  et à faire preuve d’une capacité de gestion, de
manière à accroître l’efficacité  et donc, la pertinence  de l’organisation.   L’ICAC  doit  aider
les  membres  à  renforcer  l’industrie  cotonnière  en  étant  le  premier  forum  mondial  de
discussion sur les questions cotonnières  de portée internationale,  tout en consolidant les
fonctions de base du Secrétariat de collecte, d’analyse et de diffusion de l’information.
Description du poste
Le  directeur  exécutif  doit  faire  avancer  l’ICAC  en  exerçant  une  direction  stratégique
et  en  faisant  preuve  d’une  gestion compétente afin de veiller à ce que :
•    Les  rapports  statistiques   et  analytiques   de  l’organisation   soient  produits  en
temps  opportun,   précis, pertinents, accessibles et qu’ils servent de plus en plus d’outils de
prise de décisions pour la filière et les gouvernements  ;
•    Le travail de la Section d’information  technique favorise les progrès scientifiques  dans le
domaine du coton au travers d’une collaboration  accrue entre les chercheurs  associée  à la
diffusion  en temps opportun  des résultats des recherches ;
•    L’adhésion à l’ICAC augmente de manière à inclure tous les principaux pays engagés dans la
production, la consommation  et le commerce du coton et
•    Les  gouvernements   considèrent  de  plus  en  plus  l’ICAC  comme  un  forum  de  discussion
 et  un  centre d’information  sur les meilleures pratiques dans les programmes  portant sur la
production, la transformation, le commerce et la consommation  du coton.
Tâches spécifiques
Le directeur exécutif est :
•    Trésorier de l’ICAC ;
•    Secrétaire général du Comité consultatif ;
•    Secrétaire de la Commission permanente et de ses organismes subordonnés ;
•    Gardien de tous les dossiers de l’ICAC ;
•    Responsable des dispositions avec les gouvernements  hôtes pour les réunions plénières et
•    Responsable de la préparation et de la supervision du budget du Secrétariat.
Le directeur exécutif a :
•    La pleine responsabilité du programme de travail du Secrétariat ;
•    La responsabilité  de préparer  l’ordre  du jour,  les calendriers  des travaux,  les
documents  techniques,  les procès- verbaux, les avis de convocation et les comptes rendus des
réunions ;
•    La responsabilité  des questions de protocole et de la communication  avec les gouvernements,
les autres organismes internationaux ainsi que les organismes nationaux qui s’intéressent au
travail de l’ICAC et
•    la  responsabilité   de  toutes  autres  tâches  ou  responsabilités   que  peut  lui  confier
 le  Comité  consultatif  ou  la
Commission permanente.
Le directeur exécutif rend compte au Président ou à la Présidente de la Commission permanente à
Washington et travaille en étroite  collaboration  avec  l’ensemble  des membres  de la Commission
permanente  et les représentants  des membres.  Le directeur   exécutif   représente   l’ICAC
devant   les  autres   organisations   multilatérales   et  devant   les  compagnies   et  les
organisations nationales et internationales  de l’industrie des produits de base et cotonnière.
Exigences liées à la candidature :
•    Dix années  d’expérience  professionnelle,  dont au moins  cinq ans de travail au sein de
l’industrie  des produits  de base agricoles, de préférence le coton ;
•    Expérience dans les produits de base agricoles, y compris dans les questions de politique
liées à la production, à la transformation,  au commerce,  à la commercialisation,  à la recherche
et à l’analyse  économique.  Une expérience dans le secteur du coton sera considérée comme un
avantage ;
•    Expérience de gestion exécutive – expérience reconnue de gestion de personnel, de programmes
et des finances ;
•    Exposition  internationale  – ayant travaillé, dans le passé, en relation avec des
gouvernements  et des organisations internationales ;
•    Une maîtrise ou un diplôme équivalent.  Un diplôme d’études supérieures  en économie,  en
sciences,  en ingénierie, en commerce, en administration des affaires ou en droit sera privilégié.
•    Parfaite   maîtrise   de  la  langue   anglaise,   y  compris   une  capacité   avérée   de
communication   écrite  et  orale.
Compétence souhaitée dans une ou plusieurs des autres langues officielles de l’ICAC : l’arabe, le
français, l’espagnol ou le russe.
•    Citoyenneté dans un des membres de l’ICAC au moment de la nomination.
•    Tous les candidats  doivent  fournir les coordonnées  d’au moins trois références.  Les
références  seront contactées uniquement pour les candidats présélectionnés  ;
•    Les candidats présélectionnés  seront invités à soumettre une déclaration de 1 à 2 pages de
leur vision pour l’avenir de l’ICAC et à être interviewés par vidéoconférence  par le biais d’un
logitiel numérique ;
•    Les candidats finaux pourront être invités à Washington pour des entrevues.
Conditions d’emploi :
Le contrat du directeur exécutif est régi par le Statut du personnel de l’ICAC <
https://www.icac.org/wp- content/uploads/2012/03/staffreg.pdf >. La durée initiale du contrat pour
le poste de directeur  exécutif  commencera  au plus
tard le 1er septembre 2017, mais de préférence avant, et jusqu’au 31 décembre 2021. Le contrat
initial peut être renouvelé si
la performance s’avère satisfaisante.
Le salaire pour le poste est celui du grade D-1 de l’ONU, Étape III, avec personnes  à charge,
ajusté pour Washington,  DC. Les  cotisations  à un  régime  de  retraite  du  personnel  sont
déterminées  selon  le système  des  Nations  Unies.  Les  autres avantages   sociaux  comprennent
 un  plan  d’assurance-vie,   d’assurance-invalidité  et  d’assurance-maladie  ainsi  que  des
dispositions pour les congés annuels et les congés de maladie.
Les candidatures doivent être envoyées à l’adresse suivante :  EDApplication@ICAC.org.
Les candidatures  seront recueillies  par le Secrétariat  et transmises  aux membres  du Groupe  de
travail pour évaluation.  La date de clôture des candidatures est le 17 avril 2017.
Membres actuels de l’ICAC : Afrique du Sud, Argentine, Australie, Brésil, Burkina Faso, Cameroun,
Chine (Taïwan), Corée, Côte  d’Ivoire,  Égypte,  États-Unis,  Inde,  Kazakhstan,  Kenya,  Mali,
Mozambique,  Ouganda,  Ouzbékistan,  Pakistan,  Russie, Soudan, Suisse, Tanzanie, Tchad, Togo,
Turquie et Zimbabwe.
Les membres suspendus : Iran, Nigéria et Zambie
Les candidats au statut de membre de l’ICAC : Bangladesh et Union européenne.
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Les communiqués de presse sont disponibles par courrier électronique. Vous pouvez vous inscrire en
ligne à ce service gratuit à l’adresse suivante : https://secure.icac.org/register.php?newsletter=1
Le Secrétariat du Comité publie des informations sur la production, l’approvisionnement, la demande
et les prix du coton à l’échelle mondiale, et fournit des informations techniques sur les
technologies de la production de coton. Des statistiques détaillées sont publiées tous les deux
mois dans COTON : Examen de la situation mondiale, 200 USD par an via courrier électronique, 245
USD par an en copie papier. Les perspectives mensuelles sont disponibles via courrier électronique
pour 320 USD par an. L’accès aux dernières estimations hebdomadaires de l’offre et de l’utilisation
mondiale de coton par le Secrétariat est disponible sur Internet pour 490 USD par an. Vous pouvez
consulter les rapports du Secrétariat à l’adresse suivante : www.icac.org.
COMITE CONSULTIVO INTERNACIONAL DEL ALGODON
1629 K Street NW, Suite 702, Washington DC 20006 EE.UU.
Telf. +1-202-463-6660 • Fax +1-202-463-6950 • email secretariat@icac.org
De la Secretaría
     Anuncio de prensa
24 de febrero de 2017
OFERTA DE EMPLEO EN EL CCIA
Puesto vacante de Director Ejecutivo
Descripción del cargo
El desafío planteado
La misión del CCIA es ayudar a los gobiernos a fomentar una economía sana en el mundo algodonero.
El Comité logra su misión proporcionando  transparencia  en el mercado mundial del algodón,
actuando como un centro de intercambio de información técnica sobre la producción de algodón y como
foro de discusión de temas de importancia internacional relacionados  con el algodón. El papel del
CCIA es crear conciencia  sobre temas emergentes,  proporcionar  información pertinente  a la
solución  de problemas  y facilitar  la cooperación  en el logro de objetivos  comunes.  Al actuar
como  un observador estadístico objetivo y reunir a los países productores, consumidores y
comerciantes, así como a todos los segmentos de la industria algodonera, el CCIA desempeña un papel
único como catalizador para el cambio constructivo.
El CCIA ha tenido seis directores ejecutivos desde 1946. Los desafíos para el séptimo director
serán actuar con liderazgo estratégico y sagacidad gerencial para mejorar la eficacia y la
importancia de la organización.  El CCIA debe ayudar a los Miembros  a  fortalecer  la  industria
algodonera,  actuando  como  el  principal  foro  del  mundo  para  discutir  temas  de importancia
 internacional  relacionados  con  el algodón,  fortaleciendo  al mismo  tiempo  las  funciones
medulares  de  la Secretaría asociadas con la recopilación, el análisis y la difusión de la
información.
Descripción del cargo
El director ejecutivo debe proporcionar  un impulso progresista  al CCIA mediante un liderazgo
estratégico  y una gestión competente para garantizar que:
•    los  informes  estadísticos  y  analíticos  de  la  organización   sean  oportunos,  precisos,
 pertinentes  y asequibles,  y sirvan cada vez más como instrumentos  para la toma de decisiones de
la industria y los gobiernos;
•    el trabajo de la Sección de Información  Técnica promueva  mejoras en la ciencia del algodón a
través de  una  mayor  cooperación  entre  los  investigadores  combinado  con  la  divulgación
oportuna  de  los resultados de las investigaciones;
•    se incremente la membresía del CCIA con la inclusión de todos los principales países
involucrados  en la producción, consumo y comercio del algodón;
•    los  gobiernos  recurran  cada  vez  más  al CCIA  como  foro  de  discusión  y centro  de
intercambio  de información  sobre  las mejores  prácticas  en los programas  relacionados  con la
producción, procesamiento,  comercio y consumo de algodón.
Tareas específicas
El director ejecutivo es:
•     Tesorero del CCIA;
•     Secretario General del Comité Consultivo;
•     Secretario del Comité Permanente y sus organismos subordinados;
•     Custodio de todos los documentos del CCIA;
•     Responsable de los preparativos con los gobiernos anfitriones para las reuniones plenarias; y
•     Responsable de la preparación y supervisión del presupuesto de la Secretaría.
El director ejecutivo asume:
•     Plena responsabilidad  del programa de trabajo de la Secretaría;
•     Responsabilidad  en cuanto  a la preparación  de la agenda,  calendario  de actividades,
documentos  técnicos, actuaciones, avisos y actas de las reuniones;
2
•     Responsabilidad   en  todo  lo  referente  al  protocolo  y  a  las  comunicaciones  con  los
 gobiernos,  otras  entes internacionales  y organismos nacionales interesados en la labor del
CCIA.
•     Responsabilidad  del cumplimiento  de todas las otras obligaciones  y responsabilidades  que
le asigne el Comité
Consultivo o el Comité Permanente.
El director ejecutivo reporta al Presidente del Comité Permanente  en Washington  y trabaja
estrechamente  con todos los miembros del Comité Permanente  y con los funcionarios  de los
Miembros. El director ejecutivo representa  al CCIA ante otros organismos  multilaterales,  y ante
empresas  y organizaciones  de la industria  algodonera  y de productos  básicos, tanto nacionales
como internacionales.
Requisitos para optar al cargo:
•    Diez años de experiencia profesional, incluyendo al menos cinco años de trabajo en una
industria de productos básicos agrícolas, preferentemente  la del algodón;
•   Experiencia en productos básicos agrícolas, incluyendo asuntos de políticas relacionados con la
producción, procesamiento,  comercio,  comercialización,  investigación  y análisis  económico.
Experiencia  en  el sector  del algodón se considerará como ventaja.
•    Experiencia gerencial ejecutiva –comprobada trayectoria en la gestión de personal, programas y
finanzas;
•    Exposición internacional – trabajo previo relacionado con gobiernos y organismos
internacionales;
•    Grado  de  maestría  o equivalente.  Se  dará  preferencia  a una  licenciatura  en  economía,
 ciencia,  ingeniería, comercio, administración  de empresas o derecho;
•    Perfecto  dominio  del  idioma  inglés,  incluyendo  habilidad  comprobada   en  comunicación
 oral  y  escrita;  es deseable el dominio de uno o más de los otros idiomas oficiales del CCIA:
árabe, francés, ruso o español;
•    Ciudadano de un Miembro del CCIA al momento del nombramiento;
•    Todos  los  candidatos  deberán  proporcionar  al  menos  3  contactos  como  referencia.  Las
 referencias  serán contactadas solo en el caso de que los candidatos sean preseleccionados,
•    Los preseleccionados  tendrán que presentar una declaración de visión de 1-2 páginas sobre el
futuro del CCIA y se entrevistarán usando videoconferencia  digital
•    Los candidatos seleccionados pueden ser invitados a Washington para sostener entrevistas.
Condiciones de empleo
El contrato del director ejecutivo se rige por el Reglamento del Personal del CCIA
http://icac.org/wp- content/uploads/2012/03/staffreg.pdf. . El término del contrato inicial para el
cargo de director ejecutivo empezará a más tardar el 1 de septiembre  de 2017, pero preferiblemente
 antes, siendo  el último plazo el 31 de diciembre  de 2021. El contrato inicial puede ser
renovable sobre la base de un rendimiento satisfactorio.
El sueldo  del cargo  es el correspondiente  a la categoría  D-1, Escalón  III de las Naciones
Unidas,  con dependientes, ajustado  a Washington,  DC como lugar de destino. Los aportes a un plan
de jubilación  del personal  se determinan  de acuerdo con el sistema de la ONU. Otros beneficios
del cargo abarcan un plan de seguro de salud, discapacidad  y vida de régimen contributivo, y
disposiciones sobre vacaciones anuales y licencias de enfermedad.
Las solicitudes se deben enviar a:  EDApplication@ICAC.org
La Secretaría compilará las solicitudes y las enviará a los miembros del Grupo de Trabajo para su
evaluación.  La fecha límite para el envío de las solicitudes es el 17 de abril de 2017.
Miembros actuales del CCIA: Argentina, Australia, Brasil, Burkina Faso, Camerún, Chad, China
(Taiwán), Corea, Costa de Marfil, Egipto, Estados Unidos, India, Kazajstán, Kenia, Mali,
Mozambique,  Pakistán, Rusia, Sudáfrica, Sudán, Suiza, Tanzania, Togo, Turquía, Uganda, Uzbekistán,
y Zimbabue.
Miembros suspendidos:  Irán, Nigeria y Zambia
Candidatos a la membresía del CCIA: Bangladesh y Unión Europea
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INTERNATIONAL COTTON ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1629 K Street NW, Suite 702, Washington DC 20006 USA
Telephone +1-202-463-6660 • Fax +1-202-463-6950 • email secretariat@icac.org
www.icac.org

Dr Mansurbek Muminov is a senior scientist at the Scientific Research Institute of Fiber Crops in Uzbekistan. His efforts have focused on basic cotton ginning and spinning, and he has authored more than 10 comprehensive research papers in those areas.

 

Dr. Mansurbek Mo'minov is the Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs and Innovation at the Scientific Research Institute of Fiber Crops in Uzbekistan.

During her 30 years’ experience as an International Marketing Manager in the Australian cotton industry, Eimear has managed cotton lint sales and all aspects of the export supply chain. Eimear has served as a director for the Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA).  As one of the first female Directors of the International Cotton Association (ICA), Eimear is a founding member of the ICA’s Women In Cotton (WiC) initiative that aims to improve diversity and the role of women in the global cotton industry. Recently appointed as the ICA’s representative to the PSAC Merchants Committee for the ICAC, and the current Vice Chair of the PSAC, she works to serve the cotton community to promote knowledge sharing and innovation. Her passion lies in connecting global buyers to a sustainable and traceable cotton supply chain and to promoting the good cotton story for the benefit of all.

 

Dr. Keshav R. Kranthi, Ph.D is the Chief Scientist at the International Cotton Advisory Com­mittee (ICAC), Washington, DC. Before joining the ICAC, he served as the Director of the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) in Nagpur, India, from 2008 to 2017. Dr. Kranthi has thirty-five years of experience as a cotton scientist. He received a gold medal in his Ph.D. in 1991 and has been honored with more than a dozen awards, including the Best CPP Program Award for Research Leadership by the Renewable Natural Resources Research International, UK; the ICAC Researcher of the Year Award in 2009; the Vasantrao Naik Smruti Pratisthan Award in 2004; the ICAR National Award for Leader of Best Team Research in 2006; Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences in 2009; the ISCI Recognition Award in 2010; Krishi Gaurav Award in 2010; Bhumi Nirman Award in 2011; ISCI Fellow in 2017; the Plant Protection Recognition Award in 2016 by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Suresh Kotak Global Cotton Award in 2023 and the CRDA life time achievement Award in 2024. Dr. Kranthi has four patents granted in South Africa, Mexico, China, and Uzbekistan, and six patent applications in India. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed research papers, 20 books/handbooks/manuals, 17 book chapters, and more than 50 popular articles. Dr. Kranthi has presented invited talks and conducted training sessions in more than 40 countries. His research citations are in excess of 6,500. As the chief principal investigator, he coordinated and led more than 35 externally funded international collaboration research projects.

Dr. Charudatta Mayee, Ph.D is a distinguished Indian agricultural scientist and administrator with over five decades of contributions to Indian agriculture. Dr. Mayee currently serves as Adjunct Professor at IARI, New Delhi, and several ICAR institutions and universities. Dr Mayee served as Vice Chancellor of MAU Parbhani, Director of the Central Institute for Cotton Research (ICAR-CICR), Nagpur, and Agriculture Commissioner for the Government of India. Dr Mayee served as Vice President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) India. Dr. C.D. Mayee has received numerous accolades spanning five decades, recognizing his transformative contributions to agricultural science. He is an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and has received lifetime achievement awards from multiple institutions. His early career was marked by the Prof. M.J. Narasimhan Academic Award (1974) and V.P. Gokhale Award (1998), followed by national honors like the Vasantrao Naik Krishi Award (2002), ICAR Outstanding Team Research Award (2003), and Dr. B. Vishwanath Award (2005). He received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Indian Society for Cotton Improvement (2008), National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2011), and Indian Phytopathological Society (2017), among others. Four universities conferred Honorary Doctorates (D.Sc.) for his pioneering work (2009–2023). Recent distinctions include the  Best Cotton Scientist Award (2022, Cotton Association of India), Krishi Maharshi for Cotton R&D (2024) and the winner of the ICAC Researcher of the Year Award 2025.

Dr. Khalid Mahmood is the Co-Founder of SAWiE, where he has been instrumental in developing digital farm advisory and farm data platforms supporting over 10,000 farmers in Pakistan, improving traceability and transparency across agricultural supply chains. He is leading the development of first-mile traceability systems and the TRUE Cotton platform, connecting farmers with sustainable global textile supply chains.

He also serves as Head of Partnerships at the British Society of Soil Science (BSSS), where he leads strategic collaborations to position soil health as a critical climate mitigation solution, linking soil management with carbon sequestration, water quality, air quality, and biodiversity restoration.

Trained as an Agricultural Economist (PhD, University of Göttingen, Germany), Dr. Mahmood combines strong scientific expertise with practical innovation to address global challenges in food security, ESG reporting, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.

His past work includes leadership in research programs on carbon reduction in rice and livestock systems, and collaboration with leading institutions such as Rothamsted Research, AHDB UK, and the Thünen Institute (Germany).

Dr. Mahmood is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and has contributed to international research and knowledge networks including IFCN and UPSIGN.

Recognized among the Net Zero 50 Leaders, he continues to advance international partnerships that place soil at the centre of regenerative agriculture, natural capital development, and ecosystem restoration.

 

Dr Olivier Zieschank studied Management at the university of Lausanne, where he graduated in 2005. Until 2010, he worked in a Swiss-based start-up that specialized in negotiating cell tower lease agreements, where he became associate director. In 2010, he returned to university and studied applied economics in Neuchatel, Switzerland. He wrote his PhD in Economics at the University of Freiberg, Germany, where he developed a theory of organization. Mr Zieschank was appointed Economist at the ITMF in August 2017 and became director in January 2021.

Ashwin Chandran holds a Bachelors Degree in Textile Technology from UMIST, UK and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois, USA.

He is currently the Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) and it’s subsidiary - Cotton Development and Research Association – CITI CDRA. CITI-CDRA works with Indian cotton farmers and collaborates with government bodies and research institutions to improve cotton productivity, promote farmer welfare and expand the knowledge of Indian cotton farmers on the subjects of sustainability, traceability and meeting compliance and certification requirements.

He is the Chairman & Managing Director of Precot Limited, a manufacturer of yarns, threads and cotton based non-woven hygiene products.

He is the Chairman of the Indian Textile Sector Skill Council, a member of the Council of Administration of The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) and is a past Chairman of the Southern India Mills Association (SIMA).

Mr. Shreyans Gupta is an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), currently serving as First Secretary at the Embassy of India in Washington D.C. In his current role, he oversees critical portfolios within the Income-tax Overseas Unit (ITOU) and the Commerce Wing, facilitating bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Throughout his career, Mr. Gupta has held diverse positions involving both the implementation and policy-making aspects of Indian taxation. His expertise spans complex tax audits, financial and criminal investigations, International Taxation and administration of core IT platforms/infrastructure. He has also served as a delegate of India to various international tax organizations, contributing to high-level discourse on global tax cooperation frameworks

Eric Trachtenberg is the Executive Director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

Before coming to ICAC, he oversaw more than $700 million in programs to improve food security, support agricultural transformation, and strengthen land productivity at the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

His earlier background includes service with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in the Russian Federation, China, and Taiwan where he resolved agricultural market access issues totaling more than $1.3 billion, designed and led investment facilitation initiatives that generated more than $10 billion in new activity, and oversaw export development programs worth $10 million.

He has a Masters in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University, a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and Bachelors degrees in Government and Economics from Cornell University.

Pia Terasa joined the textile machinery manufacturer Saurer over 25 years ago. She is responsible for marketing and communications at the group level. Coming originally from a non-textile background, market intelligence and business development have played major roles throughout her career. Her current main “hobby” is closely monitoring development of the textile recycling industry and circular economy.

Dr. Md. Fakhre Alam Ibne Tabib is the former Executive Director of the Cotton Development Board of Bangladesh, with over 32 years of experience in cotton production, research, and development. He has demonstrated strong leadership and communication skills in engaging with national and international stakeholders in the cotton sector.

His expertise spans Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Integrated Crop Management (ICM), and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) with a focus on sustainable, regenerative, and organic cotton production. His research interests include high-density planting systems, planting geometry, intercropping, and innovative cropping patterns. Dr. Tabib is also proficient in ICT applications, project planning and monitoring, and scientific report writing.

Dr. Tabib has played a significant leadership role within the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), serving as Vice-Chair (2023–2024) and Chair (2024–2025) of its Standing Committee. The ICAC is an association of governments of cotton-producing, consuming, and trading countries, recognized by the United Nations as the international commodity body for cotton and related products.

In addition, he serves as Vice President of the Ecological Society of Bangladesh and contributes actively to the executive bodies of other social and scientific organizations. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Cotton Cropping Systems in 2013.

Dr. Tabib has participated in numerous international programs, conferences, and study visits related to cotton across countries including the USA, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, India, Egypt, the Philippines, South Korea, and Malaysia. He has published 12 scientific papers and several articles on cotton in reputed national and international journals and magazines. He is also an active member of multiple professional associations and networks worldwide.

Dr. Elsie Sia Kanza is the current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United States of America and Mexico. Prior to that role, Ambassador Kanza served as Special Advisor to the President of the World Economic Forum, and, before that, Head of Africa and Member of Executive Committee for 10 years championing growth and development in Africa leveraging public private collaboration. In 2015, She was awarded a Doctorate in Business Administration (honoris causa) by the University of Strathclyde for the transformative impact achieved in Africa.

Ambassador Kanza also served in the government for a decade and a half as economic advisor to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as well as in various capacities with the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Tanzania.

In 2008, Ambassador Kanza became an Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellow, and in 2011 a WEF Young Global Leader. She was also nominated as a Richard von Weizsacker Fellow and highlighted as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women by Forbes in 2020. Additionally, she has served on various boards, including those of the African Leadership Institute - South Africa, Mercy Corps Europe, The Nature Conservancy Africa Council, and the Uongozi Institute.

Ambassador Kanza obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the United States International University – Africa in Business Administration and later graduated with a Master's degree in finance from the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom and an MA in Development Economics, Center for Development Economics, Williams College, USA.

Alison Ward has over 30 years of international experience in sustainability and corporate affairs. Alison is the CEO of CottonConnect, where she leads a team of over 100 employees, impacting the lives of over 800,000 cotton farmers in India, China, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Bangladesh.  Under Alison’s leadership the organization: drives supply chain transparency connecting sustainable fibres from farm to store; focuses on the rights and skills of women in supply chains through pioneering gender programmes; and continues to develop innovations at a farm level. She leads cotton strategies and programmes for global brands and retailers.

Previously Alison worked with Mondelez International and Kraft Foods and was the Global Head of Corporate Responsibility at Cadbury.

With a mission to drive scalable change, Alison served as a Member of the Sustainable Cotton Steering Committee for Textile Exchange.  She sat on the Sustainability Advisory Committee for the London Olympic Games and has been a Coach and Mentor to commercial teams at WWF and the Ethical Trade Initiative. Alison is also a Life fellow of the RSA- Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Alison has completed the Senior Executive Programme at Ashridge Business School and the Business & Sustainability Programme at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. She holds a BA Hons in English from the University of Birmingham.

 

 

With more than 43 years of experience in textiles and fibre processing, Marinus has extensive commercial knowledge of all facets of the cotton production pipeline from field to fabric, specialising in yarn manufacturing and quality. Amongst others, he is a certified quality expert and is the current chair of ICAC’s Task Force for the Commercial Standardisation of Instrument Testing of Cotton. He is also an executive member of the Australian Cotton Ginners Association and the ITMF International Committee on Cotton Testing Methods. Marinus is also a member of the ITMF Spinners Committee and the Cotton Classing Association of Australia, and is the Australian fibre quality technical expert.
He has authored many articles and technical reports and has been invited to present at numerous domestic and international conferences. He has managed to secure a large and diverse number of projects, service agreements, and commission cotton textile processing work. He has won many awards, including the prestigious Australian Cotton Researcher of the Year Award.

Navdeep Singh Sodhi began his career at India’s largest cotton-textile company and has 35+ years of international experience in mill operations and management consulting. His expertise includes strategic policy, technology and international trade and investment. With experience in over 50 countries, he advises an international clientele and has conducted multiple international studies on the cotton-textile value chain. These include the global benchmarking study to evaluate the competitiveness of India’s textile industry for the Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL). He contributed to the formulation of the perspective plan for the Indian textile engineering industry (TEI). Mr Sodhi has been supporting the campaign for transformation of cotton in C-4 Countries + Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa and led the flagship study in West Africa commissioned by IFC (World Bank Group) that was recently presented at the World Cotton Day 2023 commemorated under the auspices of UNIDO in Vienna. Mr Sodhi is a partner with Gherzi Textil Organisation, Switzerland, and a Chartered Fellow (C.Text FTI) of the Textile Institute in Manchester, England.

Experienced professional with over 42 years of expertise in textile plant management, business establishment, plant turnaround, managing turnkey projects and overseeing large textile operations across three continents. Successfully initiated new factories in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and North America. Has been business head responsible for P&L of large textile operation in Canada and USA.

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Textile Technology from PSG College of Technology, India.

Key areas of expertise include:

  • Turnkey project management
  • Turnaround of large textile plants in diverse geographical locations
  • Establishment and management of businesses in various regions
  • Strategic, financial, and marketing planning and execution for textile plants
  • Product development
  • Customer relationship management

Name: Mary Concilia Anchang
Company: Onambele Anchang & Associates
Country: Cameroon
Position: Managing Partner
Website: www.oaalawfirm.com

Executive Chair

The African Chamber of Trade and Commerce ACC

Email: oaalawpartners2@gmail.com, africanchambernetwork@gmail.com

Websites www.africanchamber-abo.org  www.ficota.org

Called to the Cameroon Bar in 1993, Barrister Mary Concilia Anchang epse Onambele, is the managing partner at Onambele Anchang & Associates (OAALAW). She demonstrates consistency and dedication in 32 years of National and international legal work and advocacy. Renown for her legal prowess, her ability to delve into unconventional and controversial topics, has earned her access to several platforms at all levels, in the society. In her persuasive urge to address stubborn societal problems in the continent, she has created several tools to express her opinion and drive policy in a wide range of business sectors. She addresses legal, social and economic problems, with the perspective to contribute in crafting novel schemes, policies and practices to oblige relevance and impact for the welfare and livelihood of communities.

Her law practice, a full-service corporate law firm, serves a broad range of businesses in various industry sectors. Client satisfaction is pivotal at OAALA. Her firm is one of the most sought-after contemporary lawyers in the continent of Africa. Passionate, engaging and focus driven, her peers revere her resolve to address challenging matters in a friendly and dialogue mode. Her brilliance, and keen eye for detail earns great recognition from her clients.

She is the pioneer African IP lawyer, accredited with the African organization of Intellectual & Industrial property (OAPI) with jurisdiction in 17 countries since 1994.

In 1998, curious and concerned about Africa`s significant dependence on foreign intellectual property assets and imports of goods and services into the continent, she founded; “The Foundation for the Promotion of Inventions, Innovations, and Artistic Designs” (FPI) to promote research and development for African discoveries, talents, traditional Knowledge and know-how for validation of discoveries for local use and exports to global markets.

Retained in 1998, to advise the Cameroon Association of Inventors and Innovators, she represented a medicinal cure for hepatitis, known under the trademark ''HEPASOR,” at d the International Exhibition Fair (INPEX) in 1999 in Pittsburgh, where FPI met with Dr. Nakammatz, the renown Japanese inventor of Viagra.

Then followed, the BBC Tomorrow’s World London Exhibition Fair in 1999, where FPI received an award from Mr. John Trevors, the renowned British inventor of the “Touch lamp” for her exhibitions.

From 2001 -2006, she accompanied one of Africa`s most revolutionary, controversial and nonconventional research initiatives in HIV /AIDS for therapeutic vaccines. This discovery, led by one of Africa`s most renown Professors, a Surgeon and international award price winner for research in the treatment of retrovirus for Burkitt’s Cancer, Sickle cell and HIV /AIDS. At a time when HIV/AIDs was ravaging lives in the Continent of Africa, she played a very compelling advocacy role at all fronts, while advising on the patentability, design and trademark ownership of the Vaccine process across the globe.

As Cofounder of the Cameroon National Committee of the International Chamber of Trade & Commerce (ICC Cameroon) in 2021, she stunned the continent, in 2006, with her nomination by the World Business Council, of The International Chamber of Trade & Commerce (ICC) Paris, as the pioneer, African, female country, court member, at the ICC International Court of Arbitration, since its creation in 2023. A mandate she held 4 years..

From 2004 -2014, as a member of the ICC Paris Intellectual property (IP) and the Arbitration commissions, she contributed with experts from governments, Civil society, multinationals, intra governmental organizations, institutions and businesses, through successive annual COP Conferences, to address policy reviews on the global climate change Agenda, that lead to the signing of, the Paris convention in 2015 on climate change.

Coupled with her legal practice, she founded & Chairs “The African Chamber of Trade & Commerce” (ACC), a non-profit and non-governmental, private sector chamber, aimed at using Public, Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a strategic tool to build sustainable and resilient infrastructures. The aim is to avoid duplication and stagnation for gainful entrepreneurial business practices.

Focal on the ACC agenda, is her advocacy for Tripartite Partnerships, that would engage expertise in, North/South, South/South and North/North business ventures. This should invariably contribute towards impactful and traceable development in local African communities. Through this initiative, she pledges to bring her expertise and knowledge into a project, she is deeply passionate about, and believes could shift paradigms in the  continent.. That is; “Institutional Advocacy for 'Africa's Socio-Economic Development."

Convinced of the need to promote IP asset ownership in Africa for improved wealth for entrepreneurial self-reliant opportunities, she believes validating African inventions and innovations, would pave the way for IP ownership and knowledge transfer for capital markets.

She has since 2018 created “The International Forum for cotton, textiles, accessories & Fashion (FICOTA) to address the African Cotton value chain and supply chains, as pivotal for talents to create wealth and job opportunities in Africa.

In prelude to the 4th edition of FICOTA, coming up in November 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, she will be Speaking at the ICAC 83rd plenary conference coming up in Tanzania in November 2025, on the role of National policies for African textiles.

Transforming Cotton into Textile and things in Africa is a vision, FICOTA promotes for optimization and industrialization of African cotton and Textiles. The game changer for. (www.africanchamber-abo.org) FICOTA is created to facilitate sustainability and optimization in the African cotton value and supply chains from “Seed to Fashion” or from “Farm to Market” through value addition. (www.ficota.org ) The focus is on adapting ecosystems for Africa`s industrialization in the textiles industry.

The plurality, multi-culturalism and multidimensionality of ACC, provides a structure with the unique capacity for institutions and stakeholders to create adaptive business models, based on sector needs of partners. The purpose is to facilitate harmonious growth with efficient ecosystems, to implement attainable goals, through value addition, in local value and supply chains.

Accolades and Publications:

2016, OAALAW won the “AI African Award of Excellence.

2018, Recognized amongst 100 of the finest professional Women in a book titled “Women Pioneer In Dispute Resolutions” by Arbitral Women.

2019 Published an article on IP Funding: A Key to Entrepreneurial Development Through IP Asset Ownership in Africa in the London based “Women's IP Magazine

2020/21, Profiled in the Magazine “Rising Women”.

2023, Appointed Member of the International Cotton Advisory Committee/Private Sector Advisory Committee (PSAC)

2023, she was nominated as Executive member of the African Private Sector Summit. (APSS)

2024 she organized the 3rd Edition of the International Forum for Cotton, Textiles, Accessories & Fashion (FICOTA) in the sea site Ocean city, of Kribi, Cameroon.

2025, she published an article on “The Mystery, Power, Purpose and Ownership of Talent & Knowledge” in the London based “Women's IP Magazine”

She was nominated and ranked as the No. 6 in the Policy and Advocacy category for the Top 100 Influential Women Leaders in IP Law.

She is a current member of several association International Trademark Association (INTA), American Bar Association, Arbitral Women, Association of OAPI IP Agents, (AMOAPI), Foundation for the Promotion of Inventors ,Innovators  (FPI), Maman Eucharist du Mont Febe (MEMO) African Private Summit (APPSS), Africa US international Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AfUSA)  ACC and other

She enjoys travelling, music, sports, praying, and supporting charities.

 

Besim Özek

Strategy & Business Development Director

Following his graduation from Tarsus American College and Cukurova University Mechanical Engineering, he has taken a large and vital business role in Logistics and Purchasing Departments for over 20 years.

He is now Strategy and Business Development  Director in BOSSA which is one of the largest Denim Producers is Turkey. He has been very involved in Sustainable Textile Production.

He had been active presenting the company in;

  • Turkish Exporters Assembly, ITHIB (Member of Board)
  • Turkish Cotton Textile Manufacturer ‘s Union (Member of Board)
  • Turkish National Cotton Council (Member of Board)
  • The Union of Chambers and Commodity, Turkish Textile Industry Assembly

Twitter Besim Ozek:      @besimozek

Linkedin Besim Ozek:    besim-ozek

SIDDHARTHA RAJAGOPAL, Executive Director – TEXPROCIL

Dr. Siddhartha Rajagopal is the Executive Director of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL). He holds a PhD in Management Studies and has nearly four decades of experience in international trade in textiles and clothing.

Over his career, he has worked across the entire textile value chain—from fibre to fashion—and has been part of several Government of India delegations and negotiating groups, including bilateral engagements with the USA, the European Union, and consultations at the WTO.

Dr. Rajagopal has played a key role in developing export promotion schemes, market development strategies, and organizing India’s participation in international textile exhibitions and trade delegations. He is currently involved in the implementation of the “Kasturi Cotton India” project in collaboration with the Cotton Corporation of India and the Ministry of Textiles.

Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India

Padmini Singla is a career civil servant from India with over two decades of leadership roles in public administration. Currently serving as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Textiles, she spearheads the strategic development and policy framework for Natural Fibres, including Cotton.

An alumna of Delhi School of Economics, she holds an Executive Master’s from EPFL, Switzerland.