Home event & conference javiberlin February 6, 2020
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May 26-30
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Marriott Hacienda Belén

About ISO

The International Sugar Organization is the unique intergovernmental body devoted to improving conditions on the world’s sugar market through Debate, Analysis, Special Studies, Transparent Statistics, Seminars, Conferences and Workshops. The proactive attitude to include ethanol from sugar crops in our activities already in the mid-90s helped to promote the increasing role of biofuels in the future energy-mix worldwide.

At its 65th Council meeting, the International Sugar Organization (ISO), headquartered in London, announced that Costa Rica will Chair the Organization for 2025, which includes hosting the 66th International Sugar Council (ISC) event and related activities, scheduled to take place from 26th May to 30th May 2025.

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Event schedule

The names of speakers for various sessions will be added soon.

This agenda is subject to change.

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8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Registration Desk Opens Marriott Hacienda Belén, Juan Vásquez Event Center
9:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Industrial Tour for Delegates
Buses will depart from the main entrance of the Marriott Hacienda Belén to take the attendees to the visit.
14:00 PM – 15:30 PM
LunchTBD
16:00 PM- 19:00 PM
Registration Desk ReopensMarriott Hacienda Belén, Juan Vásquez Event Center
09:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Opening Ceremony
Opening: Edgar Herrera, Chaiman, International Sugar Council

Video: 85th Anniversary of LAICA

José Orive, Executive Director, International Sugar Organization.

Victor Carvajal, Minister of Agriculture, Costa Rica
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Session one: The Costa Rican Industry & Sustainability
Introduction to the Costa Rican Industry

Edgar Herrera Echandi
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Session Two: The Power of the Region
AICA -Mario Amador UNALA Panel Luis Miguel Paiz
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Session Three: North America & the United States New Administration
North America & the potential Trump effect

Speaker Nicole Bivens Collinson & Rob Johansson
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Session Four: Panel.The Importance of Sugar for the Economy
Panel: Africa, Asia, Europe

Eswatini
Nontobeko Mabuza
Head of Advocacy & Stakeholder
Engagement
Eswatini Sugar Association

Egypt
TBD
Europe TBD
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Lunch
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Session Five: The World - A Traders Panel
World Market & Perspectives, Traders:
  • Mike Levitz, Sucden
  • Robert Huff, Alvean
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Session Six:Hedging Opportunities in a Volatile Market.
Pablo Gimenez
Stone X

Eduardo Jimenez
Cargill Risk Management
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Session Seven:Sustainability and Diversification
Alfredo Nicastro
Stone X
Nereo Rodriguez, Sulzer
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Session Eight:The Opportunity for Ethanol. Ethanol, Diversification & Energy.
Biofuels
Agustin Torroba, IICA & Panamerican Biofuels Coallition.
6:00 PM
Cocktail
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Registration Desk ReopensMarriott Hacienda Belén, Juan Vásquez Event Center
9:00 AM- 10:30 PM
MECAS Meeting – Open to all
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Coffee Break
10:45 AM- 13:00 PM
MECAS Meeting – Open to all
13:30 PM – 14:30 PM
Lunch Break
15:00 PM – 16:30 PM
Administrative Committee Meeting – Official delegates only
Free time for delegates
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Registration Desk ReopensMarriott Hacienda Belén, Juan Vásquez Event Center
9:00AM- 9:30 AM
Credentials Committee Meeting - Official delegates only
9:30 AM – 13:00 PM
Council Meeting – Official delegates only
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Lunch Break
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Details TBD
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Meet our speakers

torroba
Argentinian. Holds a degree in Economics, a Master’s in Energy from the University of Buenos Aires and a Diploma in Energy Economics and Energy Planning. Former Energy Consultant, advisor and member of different research groups specializing in energy issues. Previously served as an advisor to the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Argentina and National Director of Biofuels. Currently, he works as an International Biofuels Specialist at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
Agustín Torroba
ISO
Pablo Gimenez holds an MBA in business administration from Benedictine College.  Started with StoneX in 2006 where he traded forex and grains commodities.  Shortly after started the sugar program for Latin America, giving risk management and advisory services to important companies in the region.  In 2007 was transferred to the Brazil office to continue with the sugar program.  Came back to the Miami office in 2012 to continue with the sugar program for Latin America and started trading energy products since 2016.  Pablo gives out risk management seminars and speaks on market perspectives at various sugar industry events. He has vast experience in structuring and utilizing financial derivatives that are then applied into client’s risk management programs.
Pablo Gimenez
Nicole
Nicole Bivens Collinson is the Managing Principal and leader of the International Trade and Government Relations Practice at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R), based in Washington, D.C. With nearly 40 years of experience in government, public affairs, and lobbying, she has played a key role in drafting and implementing major international trade legislation that has benefited numerous U.S. companies. Her work has led to significant duty savings through initiatives such as the first sale doctrine, miscellaneous tariff bills, and trade preference programs.
Nicole Bivens Collinson
Michael
Michael Levitz is Trading Manager at Sucden Americas, responsible for the physical trading in the Americas excluding Brazil. Michael started his career in sugar in 1982 as a physical broker in London. He joined ED&F Man in 1996 working in the London, New York and Miami offices until 2018, focusing primarily on the sourcing of sugar from Latin America. After working for a couple of years at Glencore, he joined the Sucden Group in 2020. Michael holds a BS and an MBA from The Ohio State University.
Michael Levitz
ANN
SVP – Global Head of Carbon Markets at StoneX GroupAlfredo Nicastro is a civil engineer with over 35 years of experience in environmental and climate management. His expertise includes climate finance, the implementation of climate mitigation and adaptation projects, environmental liability management, and carbon asset monetization.As Global Head of Carbon Markets at StoneX Group, Alfredo leads the Climate Solutions division, guiding clients in accessing carbon markets, managing climate risk, and converting environmental, regulatory, tax, and market liabilities into monetizable assets. Most recently, he has been advising clients on strategies to mitigate exposure to evolving regulatory frameworks, including CBAM, the EU ETS for shipping, the EUDR, and other climate-related and demand-side requirements affecting international commodities trading.
Alfredo Nicastro
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ISO Overview

The ISO administers the International Sugar Agreement (ISA), 1992 aiming to:

  • Foster International cooperation in sugar-related matters.
  • Facilitate intergovermental discussions to improve the global sugar economy.
  • Collect and disseminate market information.

Encourage expanded sugar use, especially in non-traditional applications.

The ISO is based in London, the 85 member states of the ISO represent (based on data for 2023):

  • 87% of world sugar production
  • 64% of world consumption
  • 92% of world exports
  • 37% of world imports

The Sugarcane Industry Association (LAICA; for its an acronym in Spanish), is a non-state public entity, with private and public qualities where producers and mills come together. The organization of Costa Rican sugarcane producers began in 1940 with the creation of the Protection Board for Sugarcane Agriculture. LAICA was created through Law no. 3579 in 1965, and was reorganized in 1998 through Law no. 7818.

The sugar cane sector is strong and generates progress, employment and wellness. We present some data that reflects our effort and contribution to the country.

  • There are 10 mills and more than 6.000 independent sugar cane farmers. 
  • The Costa Rican sugar production is up to 420.00MT.
  • More than 2.400 women working in sugar cane agriculture.
  • The industry creates more than 58.000 direct and indirect jobs throughout the country. 
  • The sector contributes with more than $16 million in taxes and social contributions. 

ISO Members

Argentina
Australia
Austria
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Brazil
Bulgaria
Cameroon
Chad
Colombia
Congo Rep. of
Costa Rica
Côte d’Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador

Egypt Arab Rep.
El Salvador
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Hungary
India
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Kenya
Korea

Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Morocco
Mozambique
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Pakistan
Panama
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia

Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Türkiye
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Viet Nam
Zambia
Zimbabwe

*The blue highlighted countries need to process their visa to enter Costa Rica.

Meet our sponsors

Coming soon…

Welcome to the 66th International Sugar Council Costa Rica

THE BIGGEST ANNUAL EVENT
Registration

Attendance at the 66th International Sugar Council Costa Rica is by invitation only.

If you have not received an invitation but are interested in attending, please contact us to explore sponsorship opportunities.

All documents for the 66th ISO Council Session are available from your ISO user account https://www.isosugar.org/

For invites to register, please click on the REGISTER button below.

Once registered you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive it, please check your spam folder or contact us
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