The foundations of global trade are being rewritten. Geopolitical tensions, economic nationalism, industrial policy, and shifting alliances are reshaping markets, supply chains, and the flow of goods around the world. Assumptions that underpinned decades of globalisation can no longer be taken for granted.

In this opening keynote, Prof. Simon Evenett, one of the world’s leading experts on trade and geopolitics, will explore what these changes mean for businesses operating in an increasingly fragmented world. Drawing on the latest global developments, he will examine the forces reshaping international trade and offer insights into how leaders can navigate uncertainty, build resilience, and position their organisations for success in an era where business as usual no longer applies.

Keynote Speaker:
Prof. Simon Evenett, Professor of Geopolitics and Strategy, IMD

Global trade is entering a period of profound transformation. Geopolitical tensions, shifting alliances, regulatory divergence, and growing demands for sustainability are reshaping how markets operate and how supply chains connect producers, consumers, and economies.

Bringing together senior leaders from governments, international organisations, and the private sector, this high-level dialogue will explore how public and private actors can work together to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape. The discussion will examine where interests align, where tensions exist, and what forms of leadership, cooperation, and innovation are needed to maintain open, resilient, and inclusive trade systems.

At a time when fragmentation often dominates the headlines, can collaboration still deliver meaningful progress—and what role should public and private leaders play in shaping the future of global trade?

The coffee sector is entering a new era. Geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics, rising consumer expectations, technological disruption, and increasing regulatory demands are reshaping the rules of competition. In this environment, success will depend not only on how companies manage risk, but on how effectively they innovate, adapt, lead – and collaborate. Bringing together senior leaders from across the coffee value chain, this flagship CEO dialogue will explore how businesses are navigating unprecedented change while remaining competitive, resilient, and future-focused. The discussion will examine the strategic decisions leaders are making today—from investment and innovation to sustainability and market development—and how they are balancing commercial performance with growing expectations around accountability and responsibility.

As the global coffee economy continues to evolve, what does leadership really mean? And what will separate the companies that shape the future from those that simply react to it?

The future of coffee depends on fresh ideas, new perspectives, and the next generation of industry leaders. In this interactive session, finalists of the SCTA Next Gen Sustainability Contest will present innovative projects and solutions designed to address some of the sector’s most pressing challenges.

From sustainability and technology to supply chain innovation and producer resilience, the finalists will showcase bold ideas with the potential to drive meaningful change across the coffee value chain. Following the presentations, a panel of judges and the audience will have the opportunity to engage with the finalists before the 2026 winner is announced at the SCTA Gala Dinner on Friday evening.

In a world of geopolitical disruption, shifting trade flows, and growing market volatility, logistics has become more than an operational function – it is a strategic differentiator. As supply chains face increasing pressure to be faster, more resilient, and more transparent, the coffee sector must rethink how goods, data, and decisions move across the globe.

This panel will explore how the industry can move beyond reactive crisis management towards smarter, more connected supply chains. From ports and shipping routes to data, forecasting, and risk management, speakers will share practical insights on improving flow, building resilience, and creating competitive advantage in an increasingly unpredictable world.

Fresh from its premiere at the Festival de Cannes, Groundswell brings regenerative agriculture to the big screen through a powerful, solution-focused narrative narrated by Demi Moore and featuring Woody Harrelson. The film explores how regenerative practices can restore ecosystems, strengthen farming communities, and contribute to climate resilience.

Following the screening, a fireside conversation with the filmmakers and industry leaders will examine the role of storytelling in driving change—and the challenge of turning inspiration into action. Can compelling narratives help accelerate the transition from promising pilot projects to scalable business solutions? And what will it take to embed regenerative agriculture into the commercial realities of global supply chains?

The global demand landscape for coffee is changing rapidly. New consumption markets are emerging, consumer preferences are evolving, and broader shifts in demographics, lifestyles, health, and sustainability are reshaping how and why people consume coffee. At the same time, developments in financial markets, agricultural commodities, and global trade flows are influencing prices, investment decisions, and commercial strategy.

Bringing together experts in market intelligence, consumer research, finance, trade, and supply, this panel will explore where future demand growth is likely to come from and what it means for the global green coffee trade. From the rise of Asia to changing consumption patterns in traditional markets and the growing popularity of coffee-adjacent beverages, the discussion will examine the trends shaping the next generation of consumers—and whether the supply side is ready to respond.

As demand evolves, how must the supply side respond? What opportunities and risks do these shifts create for the global coffee sector in the decade ahead?

Procurement sits at the intersection of ambition and reality—where sustainability commitments meet the commercial decisions that shape how coffee is sourced, traded, and valued. As expectations around farmer livelihoods, human rights, and environmental resilience continue to grow, procurement teams are increasingly being asked to balance commercial performance with broader sustainability objectives.

This panel will explore the evolving role of procurement in the coffee sector and the influence sourcing decisions can have on outcomes across the value chain. Bringing together perspectives from business, origin, finance, and civil society, the discussion will examine how responsible sourcing is being integrated into commercial decision-making, what challenges remain, and how market incentives, pricing, and risk management shape outcomes on the ground.

Rather than focusing on what individual companies can achieve alone, the panel will consider how procurement fits within the wider system—and what kinds of partnerships, incentives, and approaches are needed to translate shared ambition into meaningful and scalable progress at sector level.

As EUDR moves from policy to implementation, the challenge is no longer simply compliance—it is coordination. Across the coffee sector, companies, governments, and solution providers have invested heavily in tools, data, and traceability systems. Yet fragmentation, inconsistent risk assessments, and uneven adoption continue to create uncertainty and complexity.

This panel will explore what it will take to move from fragmented approaches to practical, scalable implementation. Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, producing-country representatives, and technical experts, the discussion will examine how the sector can build greater alignment around data, risk assessment, and implementation models that work for both companies and producing countries.

At the heart of the conversation lies a critical question: how do we create systems that are trusted, interoperable, and inclusive—rather than a patchwork of competing solutions? From shared reference data and post-competitive collaboration to smallholder inclusion and regulatory realism, the panel will explore how EUDR can become a catalyst for stronger and more connected supply chains rather than another source of fragmentation.

As the Forum draws to a close, SCTA leadership will reflect on the key insights, opportunities, and challenges that emerged over the previous two days. In a world defined by uncertainty and change, what will it take to turn ambition into action, complexity into progress, and shared challenges into collective opportunity?

This forward-looking conversation will explore the leadership, collaboration, and vision needed to build a more resilient, innovative, and future-ready coffee sector—and challenge participants not just to respond to the future, but to help shape it.