◇ Kamar Bakrin
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, has been elected Chairman of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO)‘s Administrative Committee.
This is one of the outcomes of the 64th Council Meeting of the ISO which took place in New Delhi, India.
The Administrative Committee is responsible for overseeing and making recommendations on the conduct of ISO’s operations and keeping its policy and procedural information up-to-date.
The NSDC boss therefore chaired several crucial meetings in the course of his recent trip to India which provided the basis for the main 64th ISO Council session.
“This appointment represents a major recognition for Nigeria. It provides an opportunity to further contribute to ISO’s policies, decisions, and initiatives, deepen our collaboration with leading sugar producers and producing countries and better advocate for Nigeria’s interests,” a press statement signed by Mr. Bakrin read in part.
This is the second consecutive year the NSDC boss has been appointed into a strategic leadership role at ISO. He was elected Vice Chairman of the Administrative Committee during the last meeting held in London in 2023.
At the just concluded meeting in India, the NSDC boss who led the Nigerian delegation played a key role in the deliberations, discussions and brainstorming sessions that took place at the three-day event.
The ISO is an intergovernmental body dedicated to enhancing conditions in the global sugar market by addressing challenges and fostering cooperation to maintain stability and sustainability in the industry.
Its 87 member states represent 92% of exports, 87% of sugar production, 64% of sugar consumption and 34% of imports.
The 64th ISO Council meeting, which held at the Bharat Mandapam Conference Centre, New Delhi, was attended by delegates from over 30 countries and representatives from various international organisations, diplomats and Indian government officials.
The focus of the meeting was promoting the development and adoption of sugar as a sustainable biofuel as part of the global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission.