CONFERENCE PROGRAM

AT A GLANCE

WORLD COCONUT CONGRESS | SUSTAINABLE COCONUT ROUNDTABLE

WORLD COCONUT CONGRESS

SUSTAINABLE COCONUT ROUNDTABLE

September 24 (DAY 01)

World Coconut Congress

Time Activity
10:00 Opening Ceremonies
Invocation
Philippine National Anthem
Welcome Remarks
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Keynote Address
Time Topic Speaker
10:45 - 11:05 Updates on Supply Side Projects in Coconut Growing Countries Dr. Jelfina Alouw
Executive Director
International Coconut Community
Jakarta, Indonesia
11:05 - 11:25 Philippine Coconut Situation: The Road to 100 Million Coconut Trees Target Dr. Dexter Buted
Administrator and CEO
Philippine Coconut Authority
11:25 - 11:45 Regional Sustainability Situation Mr. Gregory Bardies
Executive Director
Sustainable Coconut Partnership
11:45 - 12:15 OPEN FORUM
12:15 - 1:30 END OF DAY 01

Plenary Session 2

GLOBAL COCONUT INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE

 

SESSION CHAIRPERSON

Roel M. Rosales
Deputy Administrator
Operations Branch
Philippine Coconut Authority

Time Topic Speaker
10:45 - 11:05 Updates on Supply Side Projects in Coconut Growing Countries Dr. Prabhat Kumar
Chief Executive Officer,
Coconut Development Board Head Office,
Kochi, Kerala, Jakarta, Indonesia
11:05 - 11:25 Philippine Coconut Situation: The Road to 100 Million Coconut Trees Target Dr. Dexter Buted
Administrator and CEO
Philippine Coconut Authority
11:25 - 11:45 Regional Sustainability Situation Mr. Gregory Bardies
Executive Director
Sustainable Coconut Partnership
11:45 - 12:15 LUNCH BREAK
12:15 - 1:30 END OF DAY 01

September 24 (DAY 01)

World Coconut Congress

Plenary Session 3

ADVANCING INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND MARKET INSIGHTS

 

SESSION CHAIRPERSON

Datuk Dr. Robert Basker Antony
Chief Executive Officer
Global Specialty Ingredients Group of Companies
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Time Topic Speaker
1:30-1:50 Price Outlook for Lauric Oils for 2025/26 and Beyond:
Palm Kernel Oil		 MS. LEOW HUEY CHUEN
Agri Commodity Advisor
Glenauk Economics
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1:55-2:20 Price Outlook for Lauric Oils for 2025/26 and Beyond: Coconut Oil MR. REDENTOR GALURA
President
SME Commodities Inc., Manila
2:20-2:45 OPEN FORUM
2:45-3:20 NETWORKING BREAK
3:20-3:40 From Buyer Demands to EU Rules: Managing Coconut Product Compliance and Safety MR. IGOR KRASNOV
Managing Director
GALAB Laboratories
Southeast Asia
3:40-4:00 Environmental and Social Challenges in the Coconut Supply Chain MR. HIDEKI KAGOHASHI
Enterprise Development Specialist
ILO Country Office for the Philippines
4:00-4:20 Sustainable Aviation Fuel Market and What Coconut Can Offer MS. SOFIA PAULA FULMARAN
OIC, Strategic Planning Division
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
4:20-4:50 OPEN FORUM
4:50 PM END OF DAY 01
6:30 PM WELCOME RECEPTION AT CONRAD HOTEL

September 24 & 26

CHARTER PRACTITIONER TRAINING

12:00 - 15:00
Two (2) half-day sessions		 Who Should Attend:
Sustainability, sourcing, compliance, quality and commercial practitioners from the coconut industry.

Future assurance system certificate holders and relevant institutional bodies. 		What You'll Achieve:
Deepen your understanding of the Sustainable Coconut Charter V2.0 and get an introduction to the Assurance System developed by the Sustainable Coconut Partnership.

Build your own action plan to implement the Sustainable Coconut Charter V2.0 within your organization and projects.

Exchange sustainability insights and challenges with peers in the coconut industry.

Expand your network with likeminded professionals. 		Training Methodology:
Interactive and engaging sessions, featuring presentations, videos, group discussion, quizzes, games, planning exercises.

September 25 (DAY 02) AM

World Coconut Congress

Plenary Session 4

UNLOCKING THE HEALTH POTENTIAL OF COCONUT

 

SESSION CHAIRPERSON

Reynaldo R. Pacheco, Jr
Chief Executive Officer
Organix Solutions
Philippines

Time Topic Speaker
9:30 - 9:55 The Coconut Oil and Low-Carb Solution Dr. Mary T. Newport
Medical Doctor, Author & International Speaker on Ketones
Tampa, Florida USA
9:55 - 10:20 In fact, Coconut Oil Improves Lipid Parameters: Results of an Analysis of 26 Studies Dr. Fabian "Toby" Dayrit
Emeritus Professor
Department of Chemistry
Ateneo de Manila University
Metro Manila, Philippines
10:20 - 10:50 NETWORKING BREAK
10:50 - 11:20 Coconut Oil as Component in Anti-Inflammatory Diet Dr. Vermen Verallo-Rowell
Adjunct Research Professor, Institute of Herbal Medicine and Head, Skin Study Group
UP Institute of Health
Metro Manila, Philippines
11:20 - 11:50 The Role of Nutrient-Dense and Whole Foods Diet such as VCO in Gut Health and Immune System Regulation Dr. Raymond Joseph Y. Escalona, MD, MBA, MS, IFMC
Director of Medical Education
Create Health Inc.
Metro Manila, Philippines
11:50 - 12:20 OPEN FORUM
12:20 - 1:30 LUNCH BREAK

September 25 (DAY 02) PM

World Coconut Congress

Plenary Session 5

INNOVATIONS AND TRENDS IN COCONUT


SESSION CHAIRPERSON

Ferdinand Dela Cruz
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer
Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines

Time Topic Speaker
1:30 - 1:50 Emerging Coconut Products and Applications Engr. Marco C. Reyes
Chairman, United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (UCAP)
President, Virgin Coconut Oil Producers & Traders Association of the Philippines (VCOP)
1:50 - 2:10 Specialty Consumer Products Offer Major Opportunities for Coconut DIANAFAYE C. SY
Chemrez Technologies, Inc. .
Metro Manila, Philippines
2:10 - 2:30 The Future of Structured Lipids from Coconut Mr. Rodolfo Cruz, Jr.
President, Process Technologies, Inc.
Metro Manila, Philippines
2:30 - 2:50 Cocoboard: From Coconut Husk Waste to Global Leadership in Sustainable Materials Ms. Charmaine Cu-Unjieng
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Naturloop
Switzerland
2:50 - 3:20 NETWORKING BREAK
3:20 - 3:40 Digitalization and AI in Coconut Farm Management Ms. Mariecar Gecale
Product Owner for Asia
Peterson Technologies
Metro Manila, Philippines
3:40 - 4:00 Sustainable Branding and Traceability Mr. Tom Van Der Meulen
Managing Director
Control Union
Metro Manila, Philippines
4:00 - 4:30 OPEN FORUM
4:30 END OF DAY 02

September 25 (DAY 02)

MEMBERS AND PARTNERS DAY

Exclusively for Sustainable Coconut Partnership members and invited partner

Step behind the scenes of sustainable coconut transformation with working sessions that advance collaborative approaches for optimizing sustainability within coconut supply chains

09:00 - 09:20 1. Opening and framing Gregory Bardies
09:20 - 10:45 2. Unpacking coconut data and insights from SCP's Working Groups Gregory Bardies, Jonathan Bird
11:15 - 12:00 3. Assurance System technical updates & next steps Jonathan Bird
12:00 - 12:45 4. Beyond Traceability & Transparency: Onboarding for Digital Tool SCP-Links Gerald Tan
13:45 - 14:45 5. In person Impact Working Group session Gregory Bardies, Jonathan Bird
15:45 - 16:45 6. Stakeholder dialogue and workshops Gregory Bardies, Jonathan Bird, Gerald Tan
16:45 - 17:00 7. Wrap up Gregory Bardies

September 26 (DAY 03) AM

Plenary Session 6

Roundtable on Sustainable Coconut

09:00 - 09:20 Welcome and highlights of the year Gregory Bardies, Karen Thivya Lourdes
09:20 - 09:35 Sustainable Coconut Charter in Action: verified pilots with the new Assurance System Mathieu Goulmy, Allan Pierce Virtudazo, Sebastiaan Merten, Hubert de Bonafos
09:35 - 10:00 Beyond the Buzzword: Unpacking Sustainability for Coconut – Charting the Course for Responsible Rejuvenation Karen Thivya Lourdes, Jojit Dy, Ferdinand dela Cruz
10:00 - 10:45 The Boiling Point: Expert Insights on Navigating the Looming Social and Supply Crisis in Asia Alit Pirmansah, Roel M. Rosales, Andrea Garavito-Guyot, Andre Mawardhi, Chrizel Lozano
11:15 - 12:00 Powering responsible rejuvenation: what if the road to scalability was to invest together through Shared Investment Mechanisms? Jonathan Bird, Eugenia Lopez, Kevin Groome, Sophie O’Loghlen-Vidot

September 26 (DAY 03) PM

Roundtable on Sustainable Coconut

Plenary Session 7

Sustainability Workshops (World Café Format)

13:00 - 15:00 1. Bridging the Divide: Building Genuine Sustainability Partnerships Between International Buyers and Local Processors

2. Building Truly Sustainable Supply Chains: Using the Sustainable Coconut Charter

3. Beyond Silos: Building Collaborative Ecosystems in Coconut – Can Public and Private Partnerships Through Jurisdictional Approaches Drive Systemic Sustainability?

4. The Solutions Toolkit: Practical Strategies and Methods to Tackle Key Issues Head-On 		Cornelia Skokov
Chief Advisor, Development Partnership Projects with Private Sector in Agriculture, GIZ
15:30 - 15:50 Sustainability Workshops: Presentation back to the group

Plenary Session 8

CLOSING CEREMONIES

Don’t miss this industry event! Reserve your spot now!

Be Part of the Future of the Coconut Industry!

Register now

For more information, please contact the Event Manager:

Primetrade Asia, Inc. 

Landline: +63 2 8896 0682 
+63 929 799 2860

Email: info@worldcoconutcongress.com.ph

©2025. WCC2025. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: March 11, 2025

The World Coconut Congress 2025 (WCC 2025) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, register for the event, or engage with our services.

1. Information We Collect

When you use our website or register for WCC 2025, we may collect the following information:

  • Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, company name, job title, and country of residence.
  • Payment Information: If applicable, we collect billing details for event registration. We do not store your payment information—transactions are processed through secure third-party payment providers.
  • Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, and website usage analytics.
  • Communication Data: Emails, messages, and other interactions with our support team.

2. How We Use Your Information

We collect and process your data for the following purposes:

  • To process event registrations and payments.
  • To send event-related updates, confirmations, and promotional materials.
  • To improve our website, services, and user experience.
  • To comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal data. However, we may share information with:

  • Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist in processing payments, email communications, and event logistics.
  • Event Partners & Sponsors: With your consent, we may share your contact details with event sponsors for networking opportunities.
  • Legal Authorities: If required by law or to protect the rights and security of WCC 2025 and its attendees.

4. Data Protection & Security

We implement security measures to protect your personal data, including encryption and access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Your Data Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

  • Access & Correction: You can request access to or corrections of your personal data.
  • Data Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal obligations.
  • Opt-Out: You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link.

To exercise these rights, contact us at wcc@primetradeasia.com.

  1. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance website functionality and analyze usage. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.

7. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for their privacy policies, so we encourage you to review their terms before sharing your data.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with the updated Effective Date.

9. Contact Us

For any privacy-related inquiries, please contact us at:

📧 Email:  wcc@primetradeasia.com

📞 Phone: +63 2 8896 0682 &   +63 929 799 2860  

By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to this Privacy Policy.

Terms & Conditions

Effective Date:  March 11, 2025.

Welcome to the World Coconut Congress 2025 (WCC 2025) website. By accessing and using this website, registering for the event, or participating in any activities related to WCC 2025, you agree to comply with the following Terms and Conditions.

1. General Terms

  • These Terms govern your access to and use of this website and event-related services.
  • By using this site, you confirm that you are legally capable of entering into a binding contract.
  • We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time without prior notice.

2. Registration & Payment

  • Registration is required to attend WCC 2025. Please refer to the informational materials that will be sent to you.
  • Any applicable fees must be paid in full before participating in WCC 2025.
  • Please read the forms that will be sent to you for the refund and cancellation policy. 
  • The organizers reserve the right to deny or cancel registrations at their discretion.

3. Event Participation & Conduct

  • Participants must conduct themselves professionally and respectfully.
  • Any form of harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
  • The organizers reserve the right to remove attendees who violate event policies without a refund.

4. Intellectual Property & Media Release

  • All event content, including presentations, materials, and media, is the property of WCC 2025 and its partners.
  • Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or sharing of event materials is prohibited.
  • By attending WCC 2025, you grant the organizers permission to use your image, likeness, or recordings for promotional purposes.

5. Privacy & Data Protection

  • Personal data collected during registration will be used only for event-related purposes.
  • We do not sell or share your data with third parties.
  • For more details, please review our Privacy Policy [Insert Link].

6. Liability & Disclaimer

  • The organizers are not liable for personal injury, property damage, or losses incurred during the event.
  • We make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of information presented at the event.
  • The event schedule, speakers, and activities are subject to change without notice.

7. Force Majeure

  • WCC 2025 shall not be held responsible for delays, cancellations, or modifications due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions, or technical failures.

8. Governing Law

  • These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. 
  • Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved in the courts of Manila, Philippines.

9. Contact Us

For any questions or concerns regarding these Terms & Conditions, please contact us at:

📧 Email:  wcc@primetradeasia.com
📞 Phone: +63 2 8896 0682 &   +63 929 799 2860                    

By continuing to use this website or attending WCC 2025, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

It has been established that the WCC is an excellent opportunity to showcase the Philippine coconut industry, promote the significance of the coconut to the world, develop more interest, particularly from the buy-side, and sustain the delivery of information and education about the coconut complex, including issues relevant to the industry

With the increased demand for coconut products worldwide—especially after the USFDA delisting coconut as a tree nut—there’s never been a better time to grow and expand opportunities in the coconut sector!  And, with the rise in demand for value-added products, the pivot towards sustainability, and increased interest in health-related issues including quality parameters, among others, there is no better time for the industry to seize the opportunity at hand than now, hence, the resurgence of WCC 2025, the fourth edition.

The conference topics will cover sustainability and the coconut culture, circular economy in coconut industries, challenges and solutions in the coconut supply chain, value chain enhancement and fair-trade practices, the role of coconut trees in climate change mitigation, incentives for adopting sustainable practices, the coconut participation in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) development and market, promoting nutritional value of coconut and new dietary uses, precision agriculture and its application in coconut, opportunities and challenges of AI in coconut trade, among others.

For this year’s edition, B2B participation will be increased, especially of buyers from countries in Europe, South Korea, and Canada, where presently there are FTAs (Free Trade Agreements) and trade partnership negotiations taking place either on a bilateral basis or multilateral through ASEAN.  Common major imports of these markets from the Philippines are coconut oil, desiccated coconut, copra meal, coconut milk, oleochemicals, hydrogenated coconut oil, activated carbon, and coconut shell charcoal, of which the Philippines is a global leader. Moreover, buyers from China, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and India will be coming to participate.  It will be noted that the Philippines has existing FTAs in these markets either directly or through ASEAN.  Below is the revenue profile of the markets mentioned above.

The culinary program will feature innovations in food and beverages using coconut ingredients to be demonstrated by celebrated chefs to audiences consisting of students from culinary schools, conference guests, among others.

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) partners with the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (UCAP) to advance the development of the country’s coconut industry. As the government agency responsible for coconut sector growth, PCA collaborates with UCAP in implementing policies, research, and programs that enhance productivity, sustainability, and market competitiveness. This partnership supports coconut farmers, promotes value-added processing, and strengthens the industry’s role in both local and global markets.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) collaborates with the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (UCAP) to support the growth and competitiveness of the Philippine coconut industry. Through policy development, trade facilitation, and market expansion initiatives, DTI works with UCAP to enhance coconut production, processing, and export opportunities. This partnership aims to strengthen the industry’s global presence, promote sustainability, and drive economic benefits for coconut farmers and stakeholders.

Website: https://ucap.org.ph
E-mail: ucap@ucap.org.ph

The United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (UCAP) is an industry organization dedicated to promoting and developing the Philippine coconut sector. It serves as a central body for coconut producers, processors, traders, and exporters, advocating policies and programs that support the growth and competitiveness of the industry. UCAP plays a key role in market research, trade facilitation, and sustainability initiatives to enhance the global position of Philippine coconut products.