The World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) Conference was held in Brazil/Riberio Preto 3-6 June.  During the 2019 Conference, WABCG renewed its Executive Board, and prepare the 3 years to come.

The World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) met on 4-5th June 2019 in Ribeirao Preto
(Brazil).
During this meeting, at which they welcomed India as a new associated member, the 36 members of
WABCG unanimously elected a new Executive Board, at which Eduardo Vasconcellos Romão, a
Brazilian cane grower, was elected President to lead the World Association from 2019 to 2021.
The renewed Board is committed to pursuing the work carried out by WABCG in order to:
 Underline the importance of recognized, united, financially independent sugar beet/cane
growers’ associations, committed to support independent growers in the sugar supply chain,
and allowing them to be heard and respected, especially by the industry in charge of processing
the beet/cane that they supply.
 Maintain that only a clear and fair sharing of the value of the products derived from beet and
cane (sugar, bagasse and pulp, molasses and even energy and electricity production) between
growers and factories is able to ensure sustainable cohesion between growers and factories.
Even with low sugar prices, growers will accept to share losses…as long as they are convinced
that they will also share gains. 

 Promote the diversification of outlets from cane and beet processing. In addition to sugar,
ethanol, electricity or biogas production, cane and beet have exceptional diversification
potential. Every effort must be made to find new outlets for this production to enhance added
value throughout the production chain. Initiatives linked to green chemistry such as bioethanol,
bioplastics and biogas should be encouraged and supported by the sector, industry and
governments.
 Help its members to find ways to fight the effect of price volatility on growers. Growers and
processors must have the necessary tools to prevent the economic risks. Amongst these tools,
futures could be useful, if used correctly. Processors and growers should be encouraged to use
them, to protect themselves against the impacts of volatility.
 Recall the implication of growers towards civil society, in favour of sustainability. Climate
change is a reality for farmers. By increasing the uncertainty of yields, by calling for new
practices which often need investment and know-how, by accentuating price volatility,
agriculture is one of the sectors in the world most impacted by climate change. Farmers know
that they are the most impacted but are also aware that they are the ones who can act to
mitigate the effects of climate change. This can be achieved through sufficient technical
support, designed by their growers’ associations, in dialogue with governments, technical
institutes and civil society.
Regarding all these points, WABCG considers that sharing ideas and techniques is part of the solution.
This emphasizes the importance of international meetings for farmers; dialogue is indispensable to
take up challenges in a world where this virtue seems to be disappearing. 

International Sugar Organization (ISO) and World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) came together to discuss sugar updates on 16-18 November, 2015. Pankobirlik was represented by Mr. Cem KAPTAN (Manager) and Mr. Kemal Tengilimoğlu (Assistant) and about 700 participant were represented in the meetings from the world   



During the meetings sugar prices, sustainability of sugar production and nutrition sugar relations were the upmost topics. First day of the meetings each countries explained Sugar Beet & Cane farming situations in their countries. On Behalf of Turkey PANKOBİRLİK. Mr. KAPTAN explained that the 2015/2016 Campaign Results and first estimated. He said; concerning the situation last two year, sugar content and yield were low and we sow too much cercospera problem about all region in Turkey. This year we have been trouble with cercospera problem and tried new seed varieties for the problem.    

In the second day as one of the most important topics, sugar and obesity relations took part in the discussions. It is stated that sugar is an important element of a healthy and balanced diet, the important thing besides a healthy diet is exercising. As it is shown at the media, sugar intake is not the reason of the obesity, but with an appropriate intake and exercising we can stay healthy. Apart from this, as a consumer we should enhance our awareness on what we eat and what are they made by, e.g. natural sugar or high fructose corn sugar.

Secondly, sustainability of sugar production was an important topic of the meetings. Companies that are conscious about issues like climate change, soil protection, water management, waste management, bio-diversity are likely involve in new techniques to make their production processes more sustainable. In addition, sustainability is vital for the growers too. Companies try to make their partners more satisfied, by enabling their experiences efficiency. 



Overall, meeting and the discussion topics were very much inspiring for sugar production and the sustainability of the sugar beet and sugar cane agriculture.  

World sugar authorities joined London WABCG-ISO meeting which was held on 24-26 of November. In this meeting future of the world sugar sector, long & short term opportunities, EU Sugar Quato after 2017, history of the sugar price, future of isoglucose were discussed in detail.

Besides sugar beet and cane growers also sugar manufacturers were in London. Pankobirlik was represented by Board of Directors President Mr Recep Konuk, General Manager Mr. Taner Taşpınar, Foreign Relations and Business Development Director Mr Cem Kaptan and Mr Kerem Uysal.

Turkey’s sugar policy and sugar perspective come to the table with Mr Kaptan’s spectacular presentation at WABCG/ISO Consultancy Meeting. Participants enriched the presentation with their challenging questions. Mr. Kaptan highlighted the fact that Turkey could managed to compete with Europe with its improving efficiency.

President Mr Konuk also emphasized the same point, apart from what was written-mostly in the newspapers in Turkey, Europe takes sugar beet production really serious, ending the Quato by 2017, they are planning to build a competitive sector and this enables growers to engage tightly. In this perspective Turkey also a great player in the sector with its increasing sugar beet growing efficiency. Apart from European Sugar Reform, sugar beet production already made its reform in Turkey with its productivity and efficiency.

Mr Konuk also stated that besides reduced sugar intake obesity becoming a huge problem. When we look at our diet, high fructose corn sugar (HFCS) usage could draw our attention easily, almost every processed food products. Natural beet sugar is healthy for us whereas HFCS usage ruins our body system. Please be conscious on what we are eating and how we feed our kids.

PANKOBİRLİK EXPERIENCE SETS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE WORLD

1.500 guests including statesmen, politician and businessmen from all around the world who attended  the CGI summit held in New York from 23 to 26 September 2014 discussed ways to invigorate the inactive potential in the world for prosperity and peace. Recep Konuk Board Chairman of Pankobirlik, presented to the world "Pankobirlik Experience" and "Model of Konya Sugar".

The summit aiming to produce common solutions and cooperation against global issues while providing the attendees an opportunity to exchange their view and experience sets a common ground to take concrete steps for dissemination of prosperity. Bill Clinton, who delivered the opening speech of the summit celebrating its 10th anniversary this year stated that CGI managed to accomplish 2900 projects in 10 years while emphasizing its positive contributions to 430 million people from four corners of the world. Increasing of total prosperity by means of activating the passive - nonutilizable - potential resources in the world  was the main issue covered in the summit aspiring to carry out concrete projects concerning the areas of education, energy, climate change, health, nutrition and fight against poverty in every part of the world. Besides USA President, Barrack Obama the summit was attended by a number of statesmen and politicians who were simultaneously in New York due to the United Nations meeting.

From Turkey Recep Konuk took part in the CGI summit at the invitation of Bill Clinton. The Chairman Konuk spoke with a large number of top executives from various countries for the opportunities of collaboration.

The CGI 10th Annual Meeting: Closing Highlights

Over the past four days, Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) members made hundreds of new Commitments to Action and continued working on and learning from the more than 2,900 commitments already exisiting within the CGI portfolio. Selected highlights from the final day of CGI's 10th Annual Meeting include “Equality for Girls and Women” and “Collaborative for Harnessing Ambition and Resources for Girls’ Education”

 

Announcing CGI Middle East & Africa

President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and Chelsea Clinton announced that CGI will hold its inaugural CGI Middle East and Africa Meeting in the Spring of 2015 in Marrakech, with a focus on economic development. “The Middle East and Africa have a youthful workforce, fast-growing economies, untapped natural resources, and enormous potential to thrive in the coming years," said President Clinton.