The 2021 World Rubber Summit (WRS) will be held online from June 8 to 11. The summit is an online event jointly organized by the International Rubber Research Organization (IRSG) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire.

WRS 2021 provides an important opportunity for the global rubber industry to discuss current challenges and future opportunities that disruptive trends may bring, including trends around sustainability, new mobility and rubber production.

Salvatore Pinizzotto, Secretary General of the International Rubber Research Organization, gave a speech on the theme of the summit and the future prospects of the natural rubber industry.

He pointed out that since December 2019, the new crown epidemic has had a negative impact on the rubber industry and many other industries. The global economic regression has witnessed one of the most serious economic crises in history, and the rubber economy is no exception.

In the current stage of social development, new mobility, digitalization, climate change and the development of "green economy" will become the driving force that determines the future of the rubber industry. This summit is an excellent opportunity for leaders, experts, government representatives and NGOs to discuss the status quo of the rubber industry and explore sustainable and inclusive growth.

The summit also emphasized the important role that Africa can play as an emerging natural rubber producer and the strategic importance of the rubber economy to the African continent.

The natural rubber industry provides the engine that creates jobs and changes its economic and social prospects, provides opportunities for young people and women, and is the real key driver of sustainable growth, development and peace.

The summit was attended by 29 well-known speakers from all over the world, 200 participants communicated directly on the online platform, while important leaders from Ivory Coast participated, and stakeholders in the rubber industry interacted personally during the event.

During the World Rubber Summit, innovative ideas and methods emerged to deal with new challenges that may change the global rubber industry's production and consumption patterns.

Discussions around the government’s commitment to decarbonization for a sustainable and safe raw material supply chain focused on supply chain cooperation to ensure the efficiency, performance and traceability of raw materials in a holistic manner.

Delegates at the conference held important debates on the impact of climate change on the natural rubber system and potential economic, environmental and social risks.

Urgent action is needed to adapt the natural rubber system to climate change and to conduct more investigations on the potential contribution of rubber to climate change mitigation. The goal is to protect and support the sustainable growth and prosperity of the global natural rubber economy.

The natural rubber industry supports 40 million people and their families worldwide, and its supply chain generates more than 300 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. In addition, about 90% of the world's total natural rubber production comes from small farmers, and people-oriented policies and actions need to be formulated.

If we really want to build an inclusive and sustainable rubber community, we need to work at the local, national and international levels. There is no "one size fits all" solution. It is necessary to establish innovative forms of cooperation across borders and various participants-governments, enterprises, academia, and civil society.

Reducing poverty, establishing a mechanism that can provide adequate income levels for small farmers, providing technology transfer, and supporting the education and training of rubber farmers, especially young people and women, are some of the policies needed to implement sustainability.

Utilizing the application of digital technology in agriculture and green finance options that encourage climate change adaptation are other key policies to ensure emissions reduction and social inclusion.

Sustainability and circular economy are two aspects that we need to maintain high priority on the agenda of all stakeholders in the rubber economy. Ensure that both the natural rubber and synthetic rubber industries comply with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The World Rubber Summit is the main event organized by IRSG and the most important event in the rubber industry. The IRSG Secretariat is committed to working with the governments of IRSG member states to continue to organize this prestigious and globally recognized event, with the goal of turning inspiration into action and shaping the future of rubber.