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FAO Liaison Office in Geneva

International Tea Day Celebrations in Geneva

Geneva (Switzerland), Hybrid Event, 21/05/2025

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Wednesday, 21 May 2025 | 13:00– 15:00 CEST 
H.200 (Entrance of H Building), Palais des Nations, Geneva & Online

The FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka and the United Nations Office at Geneva, invite you to celebrate International Tea Day 2025, hosted at the United Nations Office in Geneva. Join us for an afternoon of high-level dialogue, cultural exchange, and interactive tea-tasting to explore how tea contributes to better lives, sustainable development, and resilient rural communities.

Tea is the world’s second most consumed drink, following water. Across many cultures, tea embodies a way of life that extends beyond the mere act of brewing or steeping leaves in hot water. Its production and trade support livelihoods, empower rural communities, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year’s event also commemorates FAO’s 80th anniversary, celebrating decades of support for smallholders and sustainable value chains.

The main objectives of this event are:

  • Raise awareness of tea’s contribution to rural development and the SDGs.
  • Celebrate the diversity of tea traditions and highlight its cultural significance.
  • Encourage collaboration to support sustainable and inclusive tea value chains.
  • Commemorate FAO’s 80 years of global impact.

For any questions or inquiries, please contact: [email protected].

Agenda

13:00 - 13:02

Opening by moderator

13:02 - 13:05

Opening remarks

 
  • Dominique Burgeon, Director, FAO Liaison Office in Geneva

13:05 - 13:17

Remarks 

 
  • Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva 
  • Her Excellency Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva
  • His Excellency R. G. S. Wijesekara, Ambassador  & Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the World Trade Organisation 

13:17 - 13:20

Curtain Raiser: Farmed with Care

13:20 - 13:25

Opening the scene:

 
  • "How tea supports livelihoods, preserves culture, and improves health of people"  by Mr. El Mamoun Amrouk, Senior Economist, Markets and Trade Division, FAO

13:25 - 13:33

Success story from Sri Lanka

 
  • Video  "Resilience and sustainability of tea industry in Sri Lanka"
  • Mr Senaka Alawattegama, CEO & Executive Director of Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC

13:33 - 13:50 

Ceylon tea tasting by Mr. Anil Cooke, Senior Tea Taster 

13:50 - 14:20

Tea tasting


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