ELEVATING VALUE, ENSURING COMPLIANCE AND DRIVING GREEN GROWTH IN COFFEE AND COCOA
What a 4C Stakeholder Event!
On 17 September 2026, more than 140 senior decision-makers, exporters, traders and sustainability experts gathered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for the 4C Asian Stakeholder Conference 2026. Co-organised with the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (VICOFA) and sponsored by Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), the conference provided a platform for practical dialogue on sustainability, regulatory readiness and the future of the coffee and cocoa sectors across Asia.
As the industry prepares for upcoming regulatory milestones and evolving market expectations, participants exchanged insights on compliance, traceability, responsible sourcing and green growth strategies.
Key Discussions
The conference highlighted the growing importance of collaboration and responsible leadership in shaping resilient agricultural supply chains.
Speakers emphasised that:
- Compliance should be viewed as a competitive advantage rather than a regulatory burden.
- Traceability and reliable data are essential for building trust and creating value.
- Green transformation can support higher productivity, improved quality and stronger farmer livelihoods.
- Sustainability is increasingly becoming a core business principle rather than a response to external requirements.
Discussions also explored practical approaches to EUDR readiness, including polygon data collection, forest baseline mapping and supply chain data management.
Key Takeaways
Collaboration is Key
EUDR compliance requires coordinated action across the supply chain, involving producers, managing entities, traders, technical partners and public institutions.
Data Drives Readiness
Industry leaders shared experiences in building robust traceability systems, highlighting the need for streamlined data collection and greater pre-competitive collaboration.
Social Due Diligence Matters
Participants stressed that sustainability goes beyond environmental metrics. Human Rights Due Diligence, child rights protection and community engagement remain essential components of responsible sourcing.
Farmer-Led Transformation
Farmers are at the centre of sustainable agricultural transformation. Future efforts will increasingly focus on regenerative agriculture and greenhouse gas emission reduction.
A Platform for Regional Alignment
Bringing together leading companies, industry associations, technical experts and public stakeholders, the conference was widely recognised as an important platform for regional alignment on sustainability challenges and opportunities in the coffee and cocoa sectors.
The event demonstrated the value of open dialogue, knowledge sharing and collective action in advancing more sustainable and resilient supply chains.
Previous Announcement
Venue: Mekong Ballroom, New World Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Date: 17 September 2026, 8:00–18:00
4C together with our co-organiser, the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (VICOFA) are thrilled to announce its 4C Asian Stakeholder Conference in Vietnam! Join us on the 17 September 2026, at the New World Saigon Hotel for this landmark event.
Under the theme “Elevating Value, Ensuring Compliance and Driving Green Growth in Coffee and Cocoa,” the conference will bring together key actors from across the sector to explore how sustainability, regulatory readiness, and market value creation can drive long-term competitiveness.
Asia plays a vital role in global coffee and cocoa supply chains, with Vietnam standing at the centre of regional production, trade and innovation. As international requirements continue to evolve, including EUDR compliance, human rights due diligence, biodiversity protection, climate action and regenerative agriculture, this event will provide a practical platform for stakeholders to exchange insights, build partnerships and identify concrete solutions.
The programme is designed as a dynamic, business-focused checkpoint ahead of the harvest season, featuring concise expert briefings, real-world exporter case studies, interactive technical dialogues and networking opportunities with regional and international partners.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders, sustainability experts, exporters, buyers, certification bodies, NGOs and public-sector representatives shaping the future of sustainable coffee and cocoa in Asia.
A special moment for
- Media and opinion leaders in the coffee and cocoa sectors
- Coffee and cocoa exporters, traders and cooperatives
- Producers and managing entities from key Asian origins
- International buyers, roasters, importers and brands
- Certification bodies, auditors and sustainability professionals
- NGOs, regulators, industry associations and development partners
Agenda Overview
Bilingual event: English/Vietnamese with simultaneous interpretation
| 8:00 – 8:30 | Welcome Coffee, Networking and Registration |
| 8:30 – 8:45 | Welcome & Executive Opening |
| 8:45 – 10:20 | Section 1: The Asian Horizon – Market Trends & Global Geopolitics |
| 8:45 – 9:00 | EmpCo Directive and the role of 3rd-party independent certification |
| 9:00 – 9:15 | EUDR Update |
| 9:15 – 9:30 | Overview of Vietnam Coffee Sector – Its Development and Sustainability Challenges in responding to Emerging Regulatory requirements |
| 9:30 – 9:45 | 4C Update on Sustainability Challenges and Solutions |
| 9:45 – 10:20 | Interactive Q&A: Market Trends with Speakers |
| 10:20 – 12:15 | Section 2: The EUDR 2026 Timeline & Compliance Mechanics |
| 10:20 – 10:35 | EUDR Readiness for Asian Exporters – Case Study in 4C-EUDR Certification: Real-World Challenges, Data Integrity and Supply Chain Efficiency Gains |
| 10:35 – 10:50 | Pioneering 4C–EUDR Attestation for Cocoa in Vietnam |
| 10:50 – 11:15 | Sponsored Coffee Break & Networking |
| 11:15 – 11:40 | From Regulation to Action: Navigating EUDR with the 4C Solution |
| 11:40 – 12:00| From Space to Sustainability – Spatial Technology enabling LUC Analysis, Biodiversity Screening and Due Diligence |
| 12:00 – 12:20 | Interactive Q&A: Assessing EUDR Readiness with Experts and the Case Study Presenters |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Quick Wrap-Up |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Networking Lunch |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Section 3: From Measurement to Mitigation: 4C Biodiversity – Climate Responsible Coffee and Regenerative Agriculture Solution |
| 13:30 – 13:45 | From Volume to Value: How Biodiversity and Regenerative Agriculture Drive Market Premiums and Climate Performance |
| 13:45 – 14:30 | Panel Discussion: From Volume to Value: How Biodiversity and Regenerative Agriculture Drive Market Premiums and Climate Performance |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Sponsored Coffee Break & Networking |
| 15:00 – 15:40 | Section 4: Human Rights Due Diligence & Economic Viability |
| 15:00 – 15:10 | Human Rights Due Diligence & Social Auditing in 4C |
| 15:10 – 15:25 | From Concepts to Actions: Initiatives to Address Child Labour Risks in Sourcing Communities |
| 15:25 – 15:40 | Technical Spotlight: Transforming Social Auditing & Issue Detection |
| 15:40 – 15:50 | Final Q&A: Roadmap to Implementation |
| 15:50 – 16:00 | Wrap-Up & Official Closing |
| 16:00 – 18:00 | Concluding Reception: Networking & Regional Synergy |
Interested in sponsoring our next Stakeholder Event?
Gain visibility, connect with key industry stakeholders and contribute to advancing sustainability across the coffee and cocoa sectors.