Redesigned World Cotton Day Website Launches Ahead of October 7 Celebration
New ICAC platform provides educational resources, participation ideas and promotional materials for the global cotton community
With one month remaining until World Cotton Day, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has launched a redesigned WorldCottonDay.com, creating a dedicated global platform for learning about cotton, accessing resources and participating in the annual observance.
World Cotton Day is recognised by the United Nations and observed every year on October 7 under the permanent theme “Cotton for Good.” The redesigned website aims to support awareness of cotton's contribution to livelihoods, trade, economic development, sustainability and communities while providing organisations and individuals with resources to develop their own World Cotton Day activities.
World Cotton Day Focuses on Awareness and Participation
World Cotton Day has two primary functions: educating people about cotton's contributions to livelihoods, trade, economic development, sustainability and communities, and encouraging governments, businesses, schools, farmers, organisations and individuals to develop activities supporting cotton on October 7.
Eric Trachtenberg, Executive Director of ICAC, said:
“World Cotton Day belongs to the entire global cotton and textile community,” said Eric Trachtenberg, Executive Director of the ICAC. “The new website gives people everywhere a place to learn why cotton matters, discover what others are doing, access resources, and find their own way to participate on October 7.”
The redesigned website was developed with support from Wakefield Inspection Services, the Official Digital Sponsor of World Cotton Day.
Website Goes Beyond an Annual Event
The new WorldCottonDay.com has been developed as an educational and promotional resource intended for use throughout the year, rather than solely as an event website.
Its “Why Cotton Matters” section explores cotton's role across several areas, including:
- Employment and livelihoods
- Women's empowerment
- Global trade and economic development
- Soil health
- Water use
- Biodegradability
- Climate change
- Food and livestock feed
- Regenerative agriculture
“A World Without Cotton” Examines Potential Consequences
The website also features “A World Without Cotton,” a concept examining what could happen if cotton were to suddenly disappear.
The section considers potential consequences including the loss of millions of livelihoods, fewer opportunities for rural communities and women, disruption to international trade, the removal of cottonseed products from the food system and increased dependence on petroleum-based synthetic fibres.
The concept also examines the potential for greater fossil fuel consumption, plastic waste and microplastic pollution resulting from increased reliance on petroleum-based synthetic fibres.
A concept video introduces the idea. World Cotton Day organisers hope to develop it into a longer, professionally produced film if additional funding and partners can be secured.
The website redesign was made possible with support from Wakefield Inspection Services, the Official Digital Partner of World Cotton Day.
Resources Encourage Global Participation
The redesigned platform encourages individuals and organisations to develop their own ways of marking World Cotton Day.
Activities held around the world since 2019 have included:
- Conferences
- Farm and factory visits
- Educational programmes
- Photography and essay contests
- Parades
- Exhibitions
- Social media campaigns
- Fashion events
- School activities
- Videos
- Community celebrations
The website provides ideas for activities and asks visitors to consider: “What will you do for cotton?”
To support participation, WorldCottonDay.com provides free materials including:
- The official World Cotton Day logo in numerous languages
- Infographics explaining World Cotton Day and cotton's benefits
- Multiple videos
- Promotional materials and other content for online and global sharing
World Cotton Day Marks One Month to Go
World Cotton Day was first observed in 2019 and received permanent recognition from the United Nations General Assembly in 2021, when October 7 was officially designated as World Cotton Day on its Permanent Calendar.
Seven international organisations work together each year to hold the World Cotton Day Partners Conference:
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)
- International Trade Centre (ITC)
- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
The 2026 World Cotton Day Partners Conference will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on October 7, and is free to attend. The annual observance, however, extends beyond the conference and its host country.
Organisations and individuals are encouraged to plan their own activities and contact ICAC Communications Director Mike McCue once plans are finalised so events can be added to the interactive globe featured on the new website.