Hosted by the government of Poland and organised by the Gdynia Cotton Association, in consultation with the Secretariat and Standing Committee of the ICAC, the 62nd Plenary Session of the ICAC was held in Gdansk; Poland, on September 7 – 12, 2003. The President of the Republic of Poland Mr Aleksander Kwasniewski guaranteed his honorary patronage over the Session. The official Presidential address was delivered by Mrs Jolanta Szymankowa – Deresz, Chief of the Chancellory of the President of the Republic of Poland.
The theme of the meeting was “The World of Cotton: Developements and Remedies”.
Total participation in the 62nd Plenary Meeting was about 420 guests from 42 countries and five international organisations. Among them there were members of official government delegations, observers and accompanying persons. 181 official delegates and a great number of observers – members of government delegations from non-member countries, members of Private Sector Advisory Panel and representatives of international cotton industry – took part in the Session.
Participation in previous plenary meetings was: 380 in 2000, 280 in 2001, 420 in 2002.
The 62nd Plenary Meeting of the Committee addressed emerging issues concerning cotton agencies, organisations, and industry segments, including traders, spinners and researchers. The exciting social program was prepared for the participants – it covered sightseeing of the charming Gdansk Old Town presenting 1000 years of the history of this Hanseatic city and the performance of Polish Folklore Song & Dance Ensemble “Slask” which took place in the beautiful atmosphere of Summer Theatre in Sopot. A trip to Medieval Malbork Castle built by Teutonic Knights in XII century was really appreciated by our guests.