IRSG: World Rubber Summit 2021 to be held as a virtual event

The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Government of Cote d'Ivoire, will organise the World Rubber Summit (WRS) 2021, to be held as a virtual event on 8 – 11 June 2021.

The WRS is designed as a global discussion forum where a platform is given to producers, users, traders, financial institutions, R&D organisations, NGOs and academia to meet, together with governments’ representatives, and exchange views on the major challenging confronting the rubber economy. The theme of this year’s event is “Facing the Future: Inclusiveness, Sustainability and Growth for the Next Normal”.

According to the IRSG, moving to the current decade the global economy has witnessed one of the worst economic crisis in history. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the Covid-19 pandemic has rolled back decades of progress on poverty and has exposed social and economic inequalities. The victims of its social and economic costs have mainly been children and young adults, people who cannot easily work from home, generally the less skilled, women and ethnic priorities.

The global economy contracted by 3.5 % in 2020, but the economic shock of the pandemic crisis has the potential to provide an opportunity for transformative growth. The rubber economy is not an exception. New mobility, digitalisation, climate change and the development of the “green economy” are among the driving forces that will determine the future for the rubber sector. Mature and emerging markets might take years to reach pre-crisis level as lost sales are not going to recover fully.

To embrace an inclusive and sustainable recovery all stakeholders are called to cooperate in restructuring supply chains, implement diligent information sharing, promote green investments, capacity building and upskilling to generate positive social and environmental outcomes. These actions need to be enabled and supported through policy reforms and regulations. The recovery that lies ahead of us will bring multiple opportunities for governments, businesses and consumers to drive a real change towards a more socially responsible production and consumption to assure a fair, inclusive and sustainable rubber economy growth in this decade, said IRSG.

During the conference, presentations and Panel Sessions will provide key insights on how an effective and constructive dialogue between producers and consumers could lead the industry growth that will preserve the environment and provide prosperity to all stakeholders in the rubber value chain.

As well as providing insights into the industry, the event:

• is developed by experts in the industry for the industry
• will be attended by Government Ministers and leading global business leaders
• will provide world-class networking opportunities
• create opportunities for attendees to widen their contacts, showcase their products and services, share experiences and facilitate further business development

www.wrs2021.rubberstudy.org
www.rubberstudy.org