Cotton Brazil Takes Global Cotton’s Sustainability Role to European Policy Discussions

Initiative to engage European policymakers and industry stakeholders in Brussels from 16–18 November, focusing on responsible cotton production, climate resilience and international cooperation.

Cotton Brazil will hold a series of engagements in Brussels, Belgium, from 16 to 18 November 2026 to strengthen dialogue with European policymakers and industry stakeholders. The programme will highlight Brazil’s experience in responsible cotton production and explore opportunities for international cooperation on sustainability, climate resilience and natural resource protection.

The agenda includes a roundtable at the European Parliament, meetings with Brazilian diplomatic representatives and discussions with agricultural attachés from other natural fibre-producing countries.

European Parliament Roundtable to Discuss Cotton’s Role in Sustainability

A key event in the programme, Cotton Brazil Dialogues Brussels, will feature the roundtable titled “The critical role of cotton in Europe’s sustainable ambitions” on 17 November at the European Parliament.

Hosted by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Hélder Sousa Silva and supported by Cotton Brazil, the discussion will bring together cotton producers, industry representatives and European policymakers. It will examine how large-scale agricultural production can contribute to sustainability, climate resilience and natural resource conservation.

The discussions come as the European Union moves towards implementing policies and regulatory frameworks that will influence how textiles are produced, sourced, used and reused. Initiatives such as the Circular Economy Act and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy are placing greater attention on circularity, resource efficiency, sustainable materials and responsible sourcing.

The roundtable will examine cotton’s contribution to these objectives, including its role across the global agricultural and industrial value chain, as well as its links to international development, rural livelihoods and economic resilience.

“At a time when Europe is translating its sustainability ambitions into concrete policies, it is essential that the voices and experiences of producing countries are part of the conversation. Cotton Brazil Dialogues provides an opportunity to build bridges between producers, policymakers and industry stakeholders, demonstrating how responsible cotton production can contribute to shared sustainability objectives.” Lisa Ventura, Head of International Partnerships at the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (Abrapa).

Cotton Production, Livelihoods and Climate Resilience

The roundtable will also highlight cotton as a global common good, examining how large-scale production can be aligned with sustainability objectives.

Cotton supports the livelihoods of approximately 100 million families worldwide. According to the United Nations, its extended value chain sustains an estimated 300–350 million jobs across farming, processing, ginning and logistics.

Participants will discuss how responsible cotton production can contribute to rural development, food systems and climate resilience, alongside opportunities to improve sustainability practices across the global textile value chain.

Brazil’s experience with tropical agricultural systems will form an important part of the discussions. The delegation will share practical experience and evidence on the use of responsible agricultural practices, innovation and traceability to achieve measurable sustainability progress, while acknowledging the different environmental and production conditions across cotton-growing regions.

Brazil–EU Engagement and Cooperation on Trade

The delegation will meet H.E. Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, Brazilian Ambassador to the European Union, on 17 November. Discussions will address challenges and opportunities for Brazilian commodities in the context of EU policies and explore areas of shared interest.

On 18 November, the programme will include meetings with agricultural attachés, followed by a working lunch with representatives of other natural fibre-producing countries. The discussions will focus on European regulatory and commercial challenges, alongside opportunities for cooperation and alignment among producing nations.

The agenda will also consider how European sustainability frameworks can promote continuous improvement through transparent, science-based and consistent approaches. Key areas include circularity, traceability and responsible sourcing, as well as recognition of different global production systems and the need for a level playing field across the textile value chain.

“With the EU-Mercosur Agreement creating new opportunities to strengthen ties between Brazil and Europe, this is an important moment to deepen cooperation on sustainability and trade. As Europe develops its policy frameworks, it is essential that these are grounded in science, recognise the diversity of global production systems and encourage continuous improvement across the textile value chain,” adds Lisa Ventura.

Through its Brussels programme, Cotton Brazil aims to expand engagement with European stakeholders, present Brazil’s experience in combining large-scale cotton production with responsible agricultural practices, and identify further opportunities for cooperation on sustainability, traceability and the future of natural fibres.