India and Mali Celebrate World Cotton Day at UN Headquarters, Discuss Sustainability and Partnerships

The Permanent Missions of India and Mali to the United Nations organized a joint event on October 7, 2026, at the UN Headquarters in New York to commemorate World Cotton Day. The central theme of the program was “Cotton for Sustainability: Livelihoods, Value Addition and Partnership.” The United Nations General Assembly had declared October 7 as World Cotton Day through Resolution 75/318 to highlight the role of cotton in international trade, economic development, and specifically in the eradication of poverty in developing and least developed countries.

During the event, Ambassador Harish Parvatneni, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, mentioned in his address how Mahatma Gandhi linked cotton and the spinning wheel (charkha) to self-reliance, dignity, and the freedom struggle. He emphasized four key priorities: supporting the livelihoods of producers, increasing value addition and market access, promoting sustainability, and strengthening technology and partnerships. He also stressed the need for South-South and triangular cooperation to enable cotton-producing countries to create more value and achieve sustainable development goals.

Ambassador Issa Konfourou, the Permanent Representative of Mali to the UN, underlined the importance of cotton for the rural livelihoods and economy of Mali. He mentioned challenges such as the cost of raw materials, a lack of processing capacity, and market access. Recognizing India as a key partner, he welcomed mutually beneficial partnerships.

On this occasion, Member of Parliament Asit Kumar Mal used the example of Kantha embroidery from Bolpur, West Bengal, to illustrate how traditional craftsmanship adds value to cotton and supports the livelihoods of women. Similarly, Member of Parliament L.K. Sudheesh shared experiences regarding cotton knitwear and apparel manufacturing from Tamil Nadu and provided information about the integrated textile parks being developed under the PM MITRA initiative and the reuse of wastewater.

Ms. Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, discussed India's role as a major producer and consumer of cotton. Providing details on the Cotton Productivity Mission and the 'Kasturi Cotton India' initiative, she emphasized improving quality, productivity, and sourcing capabilities. She also highlighted the need for investment in textile infrastructure and providing support to small enterprises.

The event saw contributions from representatives of Côte d'Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Chad, the Netherlands, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Cameroon, and Peru, as well as experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee. The primary focus of the discussions was on strengthening cotton value chains, utilizing technology, and deepening international partnerships. At the end of the program, participants also gained practical experience in 'Pen Kalamkari' on cotton fabric under the guidance of an Indian artisan.