Social protection

International Coffee Day in Lao People's Democratic Republic 2022

Around the world, International Coffee Day is observed on 1st October every year. It is an occasion for everyone associated with coffee to come together and recognize the people—from farmers to roasters to baristas to cafe owners—working hard to make the 3 billion delicious cups we enjoy every day.

Press release | Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic | 15 December 2022
VIENTIANE, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (ILO News) - In Lao People's Democratic Republic, coffee farmers, producers, roasters, baristas, coffee shop owners, government and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector celebrated the 6th consecutive year of International Coffee Day. From 29th September to 2 October 2022, the Lao Coffee Lovers network, supported by the Lao Coffee Association, and the community gathered in Vientiane Centre to celebrate their passion for coffee. This was followed by a celebration at the French Institute in Luang Prabang from 8 to 10 October 2022.

In the Lao language, International Coffee Day is also known as ‘Boun Kafe Ban Hao’, which literally means ‘Our village coffee festival’. Besides enjoying a warm (or cold!) cup, ‘Boun Kafe Ban Hao’ is an effort towards promoting sustainable domestic and global coffee consumption; improving the tourism industry in Lao People's Democratic Republic; and raising awareness about Lao coffee among younger generations and how its production and trade benefit farmers.
A young barista illustrating her own recipe (Coffee with coconut juice).
The festival saw over 30,000 visitors with the participation of around 40 farmer groups, coffee shops, and coffee-related businesses. Live music, coffee brewing demonstrations, and tastings were on offer. The event provided a platform for businesses to connect and expand their networks for the sale of premium-quality Lao coffee. Various social responsibility and sustainability projects that support coffee farmers and businesses organized booths for visitors. Panel discussions talked about coffee production and export as well as the ‘Taste of Laos – Lao Green Coffee Competition and Auction’.
Visitors come to the booth to ask for information about the project.
ILO, Winrock International, International Trade Centre, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime are some of the agencies supporting the coffee sector in Lao People's Democratic Republic. ILO implements an EU-funded project, “Reducing Vulnerability in Lao People's Democratic Republic: Advancing Social Protection and Labour Rights and Entitlements in the Coffee and Tea Sectors (SOLAR)”. Jointly with Oxfam, the project works directly with farmers, village leaders, informal workers groups, and local agricultural associations to promote decent working conditions in the coffee sector and equip workers to ask for their labour rights.

For further information please contact:

Loveleen De
Program Manager
Email: del@ilo.org