Kenya is set to assume the Chair of the International Sugar Organization (ISO) Council in 2026, marking a major milestone in global standards leadership.
The ISO Council will be presided over by Jude K. Chesire, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Sugar Board. With over 20 years of experience in legal, policy, and trade leadership, Chesire has played a key role in shaping Kenya’s sugar industry – driving national reforms and representing the country on international platforms.
ISO is a unique intergovernmental body dedicated to improving conditions in the global sugar market. Headquartered in London, the ISO comprises 85 member states which (based on data for 2024), account for approximately 85 percent of global sugar production, 64 percent of global consumption, 37 percent of world imports, and 93 percent of world exports, according to the international sugar body website.
As the only worldwide intergovernmental forum bringing together major sugar-producing, consuming, and trading countries, the ISO plays a central role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation across the sector. The ISO Council, which meets twice annually in May and November, provides a platform for multilateral debate on key policy issues affecting the global sugar economy.
In addition to its policy role, the ISO contributes significantly to market transparency through its well-established statistical and analytical work. Its Market Evaluation, Consumption and Statistics Committee (MECAS), also convened twice a year, enables in-depth discussions on short-term market developments, long-term outlooks, and structural challenges facing the sugar sector. These deliberations are informed by independent analyses and studies produced by the ISO Secretariat and other expert contributors.
