Mr Robério Oliveira Silva of Brazil is the new Executive Director of the International Coffee Organisation. He has been elected for a five-year term at the 107th Session of the International Coffee Council.

India had fielded Mr G.V. Krishna Rau, a 1982 batch IAS officer, who is currently serving as Principal Secretary to Governor of Karnataka. Mr Rau had earlier served as Chairman, Coffee Board.

Mr Rau was one of the four shortlisted candidates for the Executive Director's post but could not make it due to lack of support from both producing and consuming countries.

“We did not get enough support for our candidature,” Mr G.V. Krishna Rau told Business Line .

The International Coffee Council, early this year, had set up a screening committee, composed of six exporting members and six importing members, and had shortlisted candidates for ICO post.

Along with Mr Krishna Rau, the other candidates were: Mr Robério Oliveira Silva of Brazil, Mr Christian Ruffin Silvère Ngoua of Gabon, and Mr Rodolfo Trampe Taubert of Mexico.

All the four shortlisted candidates made presentations before the International Coffee Council committee in London from September 26-30.

Presentation by candidates revolved around as to how to address the present and future role of the ICO in the coffee sector and the candidate's ability to lead the organisation to achieve the objectives of the International Coffee Agreement.

After the presentations and informal talks with producing and consuming countries, the Executive Director was elected.

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