V Fairtrade banana forum

Welcome to the Fifth Edition of the Fairtrade Banana Forum, an international event that brings together producers, exporters, importers and experts on sustainable bananas. From May 20-21, 2025, in Santa Marta, Colombia, we will explore business opportunities and strengthen the connection between all stakeholders in the chain. This forum promotes fair trade and generates opportunities, promoting responsible practices and a more sustainable future for the banana industry.

ABOUT THE FORUM

The Forum is organized by the Banana Network of the Latin American and Caribbean Fairtrade Small Producers and Workers Network (CLAC). This Fifth Edition of the Forum is expected to exceed the attendance of the last Forum:

More than 250 attendees from supermarkets, importers, exporters, producers, clusters, national Fairtrade organizations, sustainability initiatives, certification bodies, research institutes, NGOs, foundations and multi-stakeholder platforms from 20 countries. 🏆

📅 Venue: Hotel Zuana – Colombia

For accommodation reservations, write to [email protected] with copy to [email protected].

📅 Dates: Since May 20th until 21st 2025, complementing the same week with the III Colombian Banana Congress of ASBAMA.

TICKETS:

Participation	PRE-SALE (until April 30)	SALE (after April 30)
Tickets	USD 75	USD 99

The cost includes: lunches, refreshments, networking and event kits.

ADDRESSED TO:

• Supermerkets, ripeners and importers

• Producers, representatives of certified organizations and exporters

• Foundations, NGOs, research institutes, sustainability initiatives and other stakeholders.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

✅ Connect with key stakeholders.
✅ Know and debate the tendencias and perspectivesof banana market.
✅ Discoverstoriesoftransformation: Sustainability with impact in the communities.

PROGRAM

FORUM AGENDA

SPEAKERS

JOSÉ FRANCISCO ZUÑIGA COTES Executive President of ASBAMA (Asociación de Bananeros del Magdalena y La Guajira)

Master in Economics and Professional in Business Administration with emphasis in International Business, with additional training in English, I am characterized by being a person with excellent interpersonal skills, responsible, proactive, with ability to work in a team, oriented to achieve results, and leadership skills.

EMERSON AGUIRRE MEDINA President of AUGURA (Asociación De Bananeros De Colombia)

With more than 13 years of professional experience, my leadership as President of the Colombian Banana Growers Association has been characterized by effective business management and the development of innovative strategies for the advancement of the sector. Previously, as Director and President in charge, I have strengthened my skills in strategic planning and project management, contributing significantly to our mission of promoting sustainable growth. I am motivated by the possibility of leading our team to new horizons, bringing a diverse perspective aligned with the values and culture of our organization. My skills in managing solutions to needs are pillars in my contribution to the success of the Association.

CAROLINA DAWSON Agricultural market analyst and sustainable banana and tropical value chain specialist at CIRAD (Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement).

Experienced project development manager and international business analyst. With more than 10 years of experience in sustainable tropical value chains, agribusiness, standards and certifications, sustainable development, public-private partnerships and international food trade. She is fluent in Spanish, French and English and is able to function well in multicultural environments.

SARA ELDER Senior Policy Advisor at IISD (International Institute for Sustainable Development)

I am a consultant, analyst and educator driven by a desire to find innovative solutions to global social and environmental challenges. I use research and analysis to identify concrete actions to address complex problems and inform policies and programs that empower marginalized populations and achieve change on the ground. I build meaningful partnerships and collaborate with a wide range of supply chain actors and organizations – from governments to regulatory bodies to brands to farmers – and design and deliver recommendations and training to communicate results.

ROB DESSON Senior Manager of Commercial Alliances for Fresh Products (Fairtrade America y Fairtrade Canada)

Cultivate brand and retail partnerships to amplify positive impact for producing communities while delivering value to business partners.

VÍCTOR PRADA Secretary General of the World Banana Forum (FAO)

ADELA TORRES VALOY Secretary of the National Board of Sintrainagro and coordinator of the women’s department.

As a union leader, she stands out for her work on behalf of women workers.

JOSÉ ANTONIO HIDALGO MOLINA Executive Director of AEBE (Asociación de Exportadores de Banano del Ecuador) and Coordinator of the Clúster Bananero del Ecuador

Business strategist with proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams. From 2010 to 2013, in his capacity as Executive Director of the Ecuadorian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (CCECH), he led the organizing team of the first business fair of Chinese companies in Ecuador: “EXPO CHINA 2011”, in which national and foreign companies participated with remarkable success. With this experience, he led the subsequent teams that marketed and executed the 2012 and 2013 editions of this event. Between 2013 and 2015 he completed a Master’s degree in International Relations at Beijing University, the most prestigious academic center in China and ranked 17th worldwide. In 2012 he founded with his brother, Annex Asia Machinery &amp;amp; Asia Surveyors based in China. In 2014 he was part of the Board of Directors of CCEC and from 2017 to 2021 he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of CCECH and Vice President of the Federation of Binational Chambers of Ecuador (FECABE).

Since January 2020, he has served as Executive Director of the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE). He was invited by the Ministry of Commerce of China (MOFCOM) to participate in programs for Leaders of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Latin America and the Caribbean in 2011. He also participated between 2012-2014 in training programs for International Chambers of Commerce, organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). In 2019 he was selected by the China Youth Federation for the “Bridge to the Future” program; and in 2021, the Government of the United States of America invited him to be part of the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP).

Coming soon
Ticket for the forum will be available soon

YOUR VISIT

Santa Marta, Colombia, is the venue for the Fifth Edition of the Fairtrade Banana Forum, one of the leading origins in the production of Fairtrade bananas.

🎯 And that’s not all! The forum is complemented by the III Colombian Banana Congress of ASBAMA, creating a complete experience for all attendees.

📍 LOCATION: