On December 8 th -9 th 2003 a joint UNCTAD, IISD initiative led to the establishment of an interim steering committee for the creation of a "Sustainable Coffee Partnership'. The workshop brought together some 80 to 90 representatives from coffee associations, coffee trading and roasting businesses, Fair Trade and organic-labelling organisations, the funding community and inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations. Key issues to be addressed under the initiative include: securing financing for sustainable coffee production; contracts; sustainability standards and the formal establishment of a "Sustainable Coffee Partnership'. The background document to the brainstorming session reviews:

• the different dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental, social);
• the actions which have been taken or are being taken to promote sustainability;
• a possible integrated approach to sustainability in the coffee sector, particularly the role of "fair trade' labelling;
• the scope for international cooperation in promoting sustainable coffee production.