The Sri Lankan Embassy in Brussels recently showcased Sri Lanka as a top ethical and sustainable sourcing destination during the European Parliament’s ‘Fair-Trade Breakfast-2024’ event on November 13. The event, organized by the Fair Trade Advocacy Office in Belgium and hosted by the European Parliament’s Fair Trade Working Group under the leadership of MEP Bernd Lange, provided an excellent platform for Sri Lanka to promote its fair trade products to the European Union’s policymakers and international stakeholders.
With support from the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the Embassy presented a range of fair trade-certified Sri Lankan products, including tea, spices, coconut-based goods, and toys, produced by local businesses committed to ethical practices. The event was an opportunity for Sri Lanka to underscore its position as a country dedicated to sustainability and social responsibility in trade.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Chandana Weerasena, addressed the gathering, offering an insightful overview of Sri Lanka’s rich history of fair trade and the current state of its fair trade sector. He highlighted both the opportunities and challenges faced by the country’s fair trade industry and outlined the areas where Sri Lanka seeks further support from EU institutions and international fair trade bodies.
Jorge Conesa de Lara, Managing Director of the Fair Trade Advocacy Office, emphasized the importance of building fair trade structures based on mutual benefit, cooperation with farmers, and respect for sustainable development goals when creating legislation to support ethical sourcing practices. The event also featured contributions from global figures advocating for sustainable practices.
Juliana Asiedu, a young producer from the Offinso Fine Flavour Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Society in Ghana, called for urgent action to support farmers in adapting to climate change, urging policymakers to prioritize the needs of farming communities in decision-making processes.
Caterina Occhio, the founder of the fair trade jewelry brand SeeMe, shared her work promoting gender equality through ethical trade, illustrating how such initiatives not only foster global justice but also improve the lives of producers.
The event was attended by a diverse group of dignitaries, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Olivier De Schutter, and several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Also present were representatives from International and European Fair-Trade Networks, Civil Society Organizations, and other diplomatic missions to the European Union, all of whom joined in discussions on advancing ethical trade and sustainability on the global stage.
