Fair Trade Wales is hosting the 13th International Fair Trade Towns Conference (IFTTC) on 18 – 20 October 2019 in Cardiff with the theme ‘The Future of Fair Trade’.

Wales became the first Fair Trade Nation in 2008, and Cardiff has recently celebrated its 15th year as a Fair Trade city, paving the way for the other UK nations to seek Fair Trade status and support the movement.

The annual conference brings together everyone involved in the global Fair Trade Towns movement, from producers, trade justice activists, volunteers, grassroot campaigners, school children, council representatives and national organisations.

The weekend will include keynote speeches from Erinch Sahan, CEO of the World Fair Trade Organisation, Mike Gidney, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation, Anne Marie Yao, Fairtrade Africa and Eluned Morgan AM, Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language.

Attendees will also visit the Senedd on Friday Oct 18, hosted by Jane Hutt AM with Welsh inspired and Fairtrade food and drink. Albany Road Primary School children will welcome the guests with their rendition of a ‘World in Union’ with drumming from Love Zimbabwe and harpist Sam Hickman.

Aileen Burmeister, National Co-ordinator said:

“Wales is a proud Fair Trade Nation and the movement is so important as it ensures farmers, growers and producers receive at least a minimum fair price for their produce. Wales has more than 60 Fair Trade towns all who play an important part in making an equal world trading fairly and that’s why we wanted to host this conference. It’s a very exciting programme of events, and it’s right that Wales is taking a lead role in shaping future trade and ensuring fairness in our supply chains”.

Eluned Morgan AM, Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language added:

“I am delighted that as the world’s first Fair Trade Nation, Wales was chosen to host the International Fair Trade Towns Conference, so we can share our passion, dedication, learning and knowledge for Fair Trade with towns, regions and nations from across the world. I am really looking forward to meeting with representatives from around the world and learning from each other”.

The International Fair Trade Towns Conference 2019 is being supported by our strategic partner Welsh Government and Cardiff Council, The Co-operative, Fairtrade Foundation, The Scottish Fair Trade Forum and the Welsh Centre for International Affairs.