International Tea Day 2026

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and a very warm welcome to all of you.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this event organized by the Permanent Mission of India to commemorate International Tea Day 2026 on the theme Tea for Wellness.

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, but it is so much more than that.

Across cultures and continents, tea represents tradition, hospitality, community, and increasingly a pathway to well-being.

Tea cultures across the world beautifully reflect this diversity, and today we will try to do a quick tour du monde, making stops in East Asia, Southeast Asia, North Africa, South America, Europe, and of course, South Asia.

In India, tea is deeply woven into daily life, from the familiar comfort of masala chai to Ayurvedic herbal infusions valued for their preventive and restorative health benefits.

In Argentina, the tradition of yerba mate reflects not only vitality and well-being, but also the importance of shared community and social connection.

In France, the culture of herbal infusions, or tisane, speaks to long-standing traditions of relaxation, digestive wellness, and contemporary health-conscious lifestyles.

In Peru, traditional herbal infusions are closely linked to indigenous knowledge systems and holistic approaches to well-being.

In Morocco, mint tea is a cherished symbol of hospitality and social warmth.

In Vietnam, it's an integral part of daily life and social interaction.

And in Japan, tea traditions, including the tea ceremony, embody mindfulness, harmony, balance, and mental clarity.

These rich traditions remind us that tea is not merely an agricultural commodity or beverage, but a cultural bridge connecting health, heritage, sustainability, and human connection.

We're also privileged to have with us the FAO, whose leadership in promoting sustainable agriculture and commemorating International Tea Day brings an important global development perspective to this discussion.

We're fortunate to have with us an excellent panel of speakers today representing diverse regions and perspectives.

And without further ado, I have the pleasure of inviting His Excellency Mr.

Harish Parvataneni, Permanent Representative of India, to deliver the opening remarks.

So you have the floor.

Thank you, Petal.

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.

It's a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this commemoration of the International Tea Day on the theme Tea for Wellness.

Friends, tea is among the world's most widely consumed beverages, but it is much more than that.

Across cultures, it represents tradition, hospitality, connection, and well-being.

And let me add, tea is associated with human connection.

with dialogue.

We are all in the business of diplomacy.

So the natural drink that goes with our business, of course, is tea or chai.

In India, tea is deeply woven into daily life.

Across homes, workplaces, markets, and public spaces, sharing a cup of tea creates moments of pause, conversation, and community.

India's most familiar tea tradition is a masala chai, a fragrant blend of black tea with spices such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper.

Beyond its cultural familiarity, this tradition reflects a deeper understanding of wellness, with many of these ingredients long valued in Indian knowledge systems for their restorative and digestive properties.

Tea in India is also closely linked to Ayurveda, one of the world's oldest holistic systems of health and well-being, which emphasizes prevention, balance and harmony between body and mind.

Herbal infusions using tulsi, turmeric, lemongrass, fennel and ashwagandha have long been part of India's wellness traditions.

Our tea culture continues to evolve.

Moringa infusions rooted in traditional Indian wellness practices are increasingly appreciated for their nutritional benefits, while hibiscus teas are gaining popularity as refreshing herbal wellness beverages.

But India's tea story is not only about

It's also about livelihoods.

As one of the world's largest tea producers, India's tea sector supports millions of livelihoods, including plantation workers, small growers, processors and entrepreneurs.

Tea contributes significantly to rural economies and women's employment and incomes.

This reminds us that wellness must also include the well-being of the communities that sustain global tea value chains.

Across cultures represented here today amongst us, we see diverse expressions of wellness traditions and we look forward to hearing about them from our distinguished panel of speakers.

These diverse traditions remind us that wellness is deeply shaped by culture, community, and traditional knowledge.

In today's fast-paced world, tea offers something quietly valuable, mindfulness, connection, and a return to balance.

At the same time, we must ensure that tea production remains environmentally sustainable,

economically viable, and socially inclusive, particularly for smallholder producers and women.

In this regard, we appreciate the important role of the Food and Agriculture Organization in highlighting tea's contribution to sustainable development and rural livelihoods.

As we mark this day, let us reflect on how something as simple as tea

can connect conversations on health, culture, sustainability, and human well-being.

India is pleased to

convene the session and looks forward to the rich exchange of perspectives this afternoon.

And may I add to actually tea tasting and sharing of tea and samosas once the session is over at the delegates'launch.

Thank you for your presence.

Thank you, sir.

And thank you for reminding us that we will be having a tea tasting later on, so I guess there's an incentive to move this along even faster.

But I now have the pleasure of inviting His Excellency, Mr.

Francisco Fabián Tropepi, Permanent Representative of Argentina, to share his reflections.

Good afternoon.

Personally, I'm very happy to be here today.

And I would like to thank you, to thank India and my friend, Ambassador Javis Parvataneni,

for organizing this event and for inviting Argentina to participate on the occasion of the International Tea Day.

Which the General Assembly established in recognition of the profound cultural, economic, and social significance that infusions hold for the people of the world.

Today, I will speak mainly about mate, one of the most representative symbols of our cultural identity.

Mate is an ancestral infusion deeply rooted in the history and daily life of Argentina.

Much more than a beverage, mate constitutes a tradition of gathering, hospitality, friendship, shared across generations along centuries.

This tradition accompanies Argentina in all aspects of daily life.

For example, I drink mate several times a day.

Along with my wife, with my friends.

And more recently, it is common to see our football players around the world

sharing mate before training or during the trips, reflecting how this custom constitutes to symbolize identity and also health and strength in the face of the highest levels of international competition.

Mate is made by pouring water on leaves on a plant named yerba mate.

Then we will show the mate itself.

Dating back to the Wurani peoples, they used the leaves of this native plant both as a ritual beverage

and as a form of exchange currency.

They consider the Xero Amate tree a gift from the gods.

Over time, its virtues were adopted and spread throughout the Rio de la Plata region.

Specifically, the Chusit missions

which perfected its cultivation method and expanded its production.

Since then, the custom of sharing mate has remained alive and unchanged, transcending borders and generations.

Today, mate also constitutes an important regional economy

that generates employment and development for thousands of families, mainly in the Argentinian provinces of Misiones and Corrientes, the north part of Argentina.

We share yerba mate also with Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

And the cultural system of yerba mate

has been recognized as a cultural heritage of Mercosur in 2018.

Argentine yerba mate currently reaches more than 50 countries across all continents.

Its main markets include Syria, Chile, Spain, the United States,

Brazil, Germany, and Turkey, although growing demand is also being recorded in markets as diverse as India, China, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Argentina is currently the world's leading exporter of yerba mate, accounting for around 40% of global export of this product.

In 2025, our country exported nearly 58 million kilograms of yerba mate, which represented approximately $120 million,

with year-on-year growth close to 15%.

This growth reflects an increasingly global trend towards natural, functional, and organic products in a context where consumers from different generations seek healthy and sustainable alternatives.

Sherba Mate stands out for its many healthy benefits.

Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that it is an important source of natural antioxidants, specifically polyphenols, which help protect cells against oxidative stress.

It also contains natural caffeine, which enhances concentration, alertness, and physical intellectual performance.

Positive effects have also been attributed to it in terms of cardiovascular health, metabolism, and neural protection, in addition to providing B vitamins and having low calorie and sodium content.

Argentina not only stands out for international in the production of Chevrolet, but also for the quality and diverse of its tea industry.

Argentina ranks 10th in the world's production of tea leaves and number 9 global producer of packaged tea.

It is also the leading producer in the American continent.

Again, tea and mate are ancient infusions that originated in rural communities, traveled through migrations and cultural exchanges,

and today sustain the livelihood of millions of families.

For this reason, my delegation believes that this International Tea Day brings together all of us who are part of this great family of historic infusions.

Mate is not consumed individually, but shared.

Bonds are built around this infusion.

Like tea, both symbolize an invitation to dialogue, encounter, and coexistence.

And I use it, my friend, human connections.

Argentina celebrates the opportunity.

to share this century-old tradition which combines history, cultural identity, sustainable reproduction, and well-being, and which today constitutes to project itself to the world as one of the

great natural infusion of our region.

I thank you.

Thank you very much, Excellency.

I think the overview of the history, the cultural identity, it quite resonates with all of us who share similar experiences with tea.

I now have the pleasure of inviting His Excellency Mr.

Jaydhar Madhikari, Deputy Permanent Representative of France, to take the floor and share his views.

Thank you very much, and Excellencies, dear colleagues.

I would like first to thank India to have taken, of course, this opportunity to gather us around the different experiences, national experiences of tea, but

the link that tea brings among us is very important, and we know when we share a tea, a cup of tea or tea, we know we are in a good company.

So therefore, on this International Day, Tea Day, France is very pleased to join the international community in celebrating a beverage that, far beyond its simple everyday use, represents centuries of tradition,

craftsmanship, and cultural exchanges.

And I don't know if I have to recall it because our moderator, Patil, did it very clearly also.

France has developed a distinctive relationship with tea and herbal infusions, you said it, deeply rooted in its culture and art of living.

And France, as you know, France is not a tea-producing country.

Yet, it is among Europe's leading consumers and promoters of tea culture.

And since the 17th century, at least, tea has held a special role in French social and cultural life, appreciated for both its refinement

and its conviviality.

French expertise is therefore reflected in the attention given to blending, aromas, sensory experience.

Historic French tea houses, just as Mariage Frere, or Cosmi, Cosmi Tea, have contributed to its reputation by combining tradition with creativity and innovation.

And I would say it's also a link with what Mariage Frère and Cosmity is doing among the different cultures of tea itself.

And beyond tea itself, France has also values a longstanding tradition of herbal infusions and plant-based beverages, from verbena and chamomile,

Thyme, lavender, rosemary, medicinal and aromatic plants occupy an important place in French culinary and wellness traditions.

Today, tea infusions continue to serve as moments of connection and hospitality.

I would say also moments of disconnection, if need be.

Whether shared during an afternoon gathering in tea salons or within families, they help foster dialogue, conviviality, and human connection.

And also the case around tea, so also here in the lounges.

France also remains committed to promoting responsible and sustainable consumption practices, including fair trade sourcing, environmental responsibility, and support for local producers and local communities.

On this internet.

I would like to finish in wishing to the farm, or maybe testifying that tea, in all its forms and traditions, and we'll be hearing, we already heard a couple of these traditions, is

above all a universal language, one that brings people together across cultures and borders.

May this celebration continue to encourage dialogue, mutual understanding, and the discovery of the rich diversity of tea and herbal traditions around the world.

Thank you very much.

Merci, Monsieur.

I think the Palais de Thé is far more popular than many of us realized, not just in France but even outside.

So thank you for your reflections on France's tisane and herbal tea cultures.

I would now like to invite His Excellency Mr.

Juan Pablo Vegas, Chargé d'Affaires of Peru, to share his perspectives.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Perhaps first I should confess I'm a really heavy tea drinker, not a coffee drinker, so I'm very happy to be here.

And of course, I'd like to thank the permanent mission of India and particularly Ambassador Parvataneni for convening this celebration of International Tea Day

and to commend the timeliness of this year's theme, Tea for Wellness.

In an age marked by acceleration and stress, posing to share a cup of tea is in itself an affirmation of shared values, care, hospitality, presence, and connection.

Peru is quite a diverse country, in a territory about a third of India.

We are crossed by one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world, the Andes, which has shaped our millenary civilization.

Also, 60% of our territory is part of the Andes.

of the Amazon basin, and we have a coast of some 3,000 kilometers.

Peru is known for having been at the core of domesticating several stable foodstuffs, like potato, beans, tomato, and cacao, among others.

In the last decades, we're important producers of coffee, avocados, asparagus, blueberries.

But however, it is less known that Peru is also for more than a century now a tea producing country.

And that its story illustrates the spirit of intercultural exchange that this commemoration celebrates.

The journey of Peruvian tea began in 1895 when Mr.

Benjamín de la Torre, then senator for Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, proposed tea cultivation as an alternative to declining prices for traditional crops.

In 1913, the Peruvian consul in Yokohama, Japan, dispatched the first 120 pounds of seeds bound to the Asian capital of the Incas, where they were planted.

From that intercontinental beginning, a tradition was born, and today it flourishes in the regions of Cusco,

and one uco between 1500 and 2500 meters above sea level in ecosystems where tea coexists with citrus fruits, avocado and coffee.

In Cusco, which accounts for 68% of national production of tea, some 63 families cultivate more than 2000 hectares and the entire harvest is carried out by hand.

Peruvian tea is inscribed in a broader ancestral tradition of relationship with plants.

Our indigenous peoples have developed over millennia a sophisticated body of knowledge on infusions and traditional medicine today recognized as part of the right to intercultural health.

Earlier this year, Peru approved the National Policy on Indigenous and Original Peoples towards 2040,

which expressly recognizes the contribution of indigenous sabias and sabios, wise women and wise men, to the country's health system.

The blending of tea with native herbs such as munia, camu camu, and coca leaves

give rise to infusions that bring together pleasure, well-being, and identity while embodying the integration of traditional medicine within the Peruvian health system.

preparing for this, I remember when I was a teenager, I lived a couple of years with my grandmother.

My parents were not in the same city.

And I look at her with admiration because she drank infusions of plants called, one was called cat's claw, and the other was called horse tail.

I couldn't believe it.

First I thought she was drinking horse tail and cat's claw.

I thought she's a kind of shaman, my grandmother, and I love her even more.

But she drank this all the time for a healthy living, and she lived until she was 95.

This ancestral knowledge does not exist in the abstract.

It is sustained day by day by the hands of women.

The story of Peruvian tea is in essence a story of smallholders and increasingly a story of women producers.

Indigenous Andean and Amazonian women are at the heart of the harvest, the processing and the transmission of knowledge associated with tea cultivation.

Following the agrarian reform of 1969, women progressively took on leadership roles within self-managed cooperatives.

Today, several of the most distinguished Peruvian producers, including women-led initiatives, stand at the forefront of the sector.

Peru considers that...

Supporting women producers is not only a matter of equity, but a key part of the sustainability of the value chain itself.

The combination of ancestral knowledge and women's leadership is increasingly recognized by the international market.

At the 8th Teas of the World contest in Paris in 2025, 13 Peruvian teas and infusions were distinguished for their quality

in competition with producers from 18 countries, including global references such as India and China.

Today, Peruvian specialty tea reaches $35 per kilogram in European markets for organically certified products, a value that has doubled in just five years.

Distinguished colleagues and friends, Peru considers strengthening tea value chains as an instrument of sustainable development, smallholder inclusion, women's empowerment, and intercultural dialogue.

May every cup of tea also be a conversation between cultures.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Excellency, especially for highlighting the role of women and ancestral knowledge in tea cultivation traditions and practices.

I now have the pleasure of inviting Her Excellency, Ms.

Majda Mouchou, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Kingdom of Morocco, to deliver her remarks.

Thank you very much.

And first of all, we have my ambassador who is still in Morocco, maybe enjoying a very delicious cup of tea there.

I would like to start by warmly thanking India for organizing today's event under the theme Tea for Wellness.

And actually, this is a day that resonates deeply with many member states and certainly with Morocco, a country where tea is not simply a beverage but a way of life.

Excellencies, since its beginning in Asia, the culture of tea has spread all over the world, encompassing almost every culture across continents.

It is now the most consumed beverage in the world, a testament to its universal appeal and its remarkable ability to bring people together

across borders, beliefs, nations, generations as well.

She arrived in Morocco in the 18th century and was swiftly embraced by then Sultan Muhammad bin Abdullah, who made it a staple of the royal court.

And then from there, it spread to every corner of the Moroccan society.

I remember a book that I had during my high school.

It was called in Morocco, Minashay ila al-Atey.

So the word tea in Arabic, classical Arabic, is shey.

So maybe in India as well.

So shey is classical Arabic.

But in Moroccan, the region, Moroccan dialects, we call it atey.

So that means from minashay ila al-ata'i, from where it was at the royal court to the public people.

So from the class way to the Darija way.

So today tea, or as we call it in Morocco, atay, is far more than a drink.

It is a symbol of hospitality, warmth, and generosity, and an integral part of Moroccans'daily lives.

It is served at breakfast, in the afternoon, or after a generous meal.

It is also the official drink of weddings.

It is also on the table of official meetings.

And you can also see

Here maybe you might have seen it in different UN bazaars.

There is a special seating to prepare it, but also to serve it.

So there is a special ceremony for that.

So I might even say that its presence is mandatory at every social and cultural gathering in Morocco, and to refuse a glass of Moroccan mint tea is, in our culture,

almost akin to refuse friendship itself.

You have to accept that tea.

And just as Morocco has its etay, India has its shey.

And both rituals share the same soul, the belief that preparing and sharing tea is an act of care, of welcome, and of connection.

It is no coincidence that in both our countries, and I might say I'm seeing the tradition that has been, there are many common points among member states, it is an act of care and of welcome and of connection.

So meaningful conversations usually begin with a cup of tea in hand.

Excellencies, tea is also and perhaps above all a powerful contribution to human wellness and in all its dimensions.

Physically, generations of communities across the world have relied on tea's natural properties.

In Morocco, mint tea has long been used to help in digestion, soothe the body, calm the spirits, and also...

improve the mood.

Something we need a lot these days here.

Moreover, tea is a medium for cultural exchange unlike any other.

It does not require a shared language.

It does not require shared beliefs.

It requires only an open hand and a willingness to sit together.

And across centuries and civilizations, it has been used to soothe, to heal, to energize, and above all, to unite.

And we must acknowledge that behind every cup of tea lies a global industry that employs millions of people,

the vast majority of them in developing countries, and a significant proportion of them are women.

Sustainable tea production, therefore, has a direct and meaningful role to play in advancing development, sustainable development.

So investing in fair and environmentally responsible tea cultivation contributes to SDG 1

on poverty eradication, SDG 5 on gender equality, SDG 8 on decent work, SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13 on climate action.

And they're all interconnected anyway.

So today's event reminds us that wellness is not only...

Found in medicine or policies can be found in our traditions, our cultures, and our shared human practices in a cup of tea as well.

As we face the complex challenges of our time, perhaps we would do well to recall that a shared cup of tea can open dialogue, build trust, and nurture peace.

I thank you again.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Excellency, and indeed in India, too.

Accepting a cup of tea is accepting someone's hand in friendship, so thank you for reminding us of that.

I now invite His Excellency Mr.

Nguyen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam, to take the floor.

Thank you.

Mr.

Chair, distinguished colleagues, I thank India and especially Ambassador Parvathenani for hosting and for inviting Vietnam to this commemoration of International Tea Day

under the very meaningful theme of tea for wellness.

And I'm already looking forward to the tea tasting session afterwards.

I hope you will serve masala chai, which is by far my favorite tea in the world.

No offense to other colleagues.

So tea is one of the world's oldest and most widely enjoyed beverages.

And for Vietnam and many countries represented here, tea is deeply rooted in our cultures and daily lives.

And beyond its cultural significance, tea is increasingly recognized for its contribution to physical, mental, and social well-being.

Tea traditions and herbal infusions passed down through generations continue to promote mindfulness, healthy lifestyles in today's fast-paced world.

The tea is also an important contributor to the economy and international trade, as well as to the implementation of various sustainable development goals, which our colleagues from Morocco

had just pointed out.

Tea production is a major source of income and employment for many developing countries, especially for smallholder farmers, women and rural communities.

Sustainable tea farming can help preserve biodiversity, mitigate land degradation and contribute to

climate resilience also.

However, there remain numerous challenges to the tea sector nowadays, which is particularly vulnerable to climate change, market volatility, and disruptions in global supply chains.

And to fully harness tea's contribution to wellness and sustainable development, we must invest in smallholder resilience, promote sustainable and inclusive value chains,

strengthen international cooperation, and preserve traditional knowledge associated with tea cultivation and consumption.

Vietnam is among the world's leading tea exporters, exporting tea products to more than 70 countries and territories in the world.

And Vietnamese tea includes green tea, black tea, and scented tea varieties closely associated with our cultural traditions and local communities.

And tea growing regions in Vietnam are also important cultural and eco-tourism destinations where visitors can experience

the traditions and lifestyles of different ethnic communities.

And in recent years, Vietnam tea industry has increasingly focused on sustainable production and consumption, applying science and technology in cultivation and processing,

while promoting environmentally friendly practices

and wellness-oriented tea products.

We welcome the opportunities to strengthen cooperation and exchange experiences with international partners in further developing a sustainable and resilient tea sector.

And finally, on this International Tea Day, let us celebrate tea.

Not only as a treasure tradition and economic commodity, but also as a source of wellness, human connection, and cultural exchange.

And let us continue working together to ensure that the benefits of tea are shared sustainably and equitably in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Excellency, for those reflections.

I now invite His Excellency Mr.

Mekanagi Tomohiro, Shazada Fair of Japan, to the United Nations to deliver his remarks.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the delegation of India for organizing this event on a very interesting and important theme of tea for wellness.

Tea, in particular green tea, has been deeply embedded in Japanese culture for centuries.

It is no exaggeration to say that it is the most beloved beverage in Japan.

It is also a vital cash crop for the many countries around the world, supporting the livelihood of farmers.

And actually, Japan is no exception.

While Japan may not be commonly perceived as an agricultural nation,

It is in fact a significant tea producer, ranking 11th in the world by volume and 4th by production value.

So in recent years in particular, the global boom of matcha, which is a Japanese term, literally meaning powdered tea,

has driven a surge in the production of matcha for both drinks and dessert, with exports rapidly

Now I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce some features of Japanese tea culture, which I think contribute to the well-being in Japanese society.

In Japan, tea is served in many different ways across a wide spectrum of occasions, from formal occasions, ceremonial settings, to most everyday moments.

On the formal side, the traditional art of chado, or the way of tea, for example, involves a dedicated tea room where a host receives guests with carefully prepared matcha and sweets,

following a refined set of rituals.

And chado has long been the cornerstone of Japanese culture as a highly esteemed form of hospitality.

Which embodies the philosophy of Ichigo Ichie.

The direct translation of Ichigo Ichie is one time, one meeting, and which appreciates encounter between host and guest as a once in a lifetime experience.

And this philosophy is an important element of the Japanese way of life.

At the same time, green tea or sometimes hojicha is cherished as everyday accompaniment, particularly with meals and sweets.

For the Japanese, tea is an industry.

dispensable company to food, and therefore many or even most restaurants in Japan serve tea free of charge, which is not common in other cultures.

This tradition is also an important element of Japanese lifestyle.

The way tea is enjoyed in Japan is evolving with time.

While brewing loose leaf tea at home in a teapot was once a norm, but bottled green tea, cold green tea, that can be enjoyed on the go,

and tea-based drinks from cafes have grown increasingly popular, especially among younger generations.

So it is my sincere hope that tea culture, rich with centuries of history, will continue to flourish and adapt for generations to come.

I thank you.

Thank you very much, Excellency.

And indeed, I think matcha is something that we're all very, very familiar with.

So thank you for enlightening us on that.

And finally, I now invite Ms.

Angelica Hakome, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in New York, to offer her remarks.

To participate here today in the commemoration of International Tea Day.

At the outset, I wish to thank the Permanent Mission of India for bringing us together to celebrate this beverage, which, as I will paraphrase what you said, is rooted in rural communities and expanded to the global ones.

I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate India for the reception of the Prime Minister Modi's reception of the Agri-Cola medal yesterday in Rome headquarters.

So deep congratulations from our part.

Also in FAO headquarters, but today, the International Tea Day was observed with a day-long celebration focused on sustaining tea, supporting communities with cultural activities, tea tasting, and interactive sessions.

As we reflect on tea for...

Wellness, it's important to recall the multiple benefits of tea.

As the FAO Director General stated this morning, tea is not simply a product, it is a source of income, dignity, and opportunity.

And I dare say these are important, essential elements for wellness.

Many of you across the table have highlighted the importance of tea to the global economy.

So I will provide some key data points related to tea production.

Current estimates indicate that tea production is at around 7.3 million tons.

Tea exports reach an estimated 2 million tons.

Global tea production amounts to slightly under U.S.

Dollars 20 billion annually.

Tea trade is valued at about U.S.

Dollars 9.5 billion dollars annually.

And around 60% of this tea production is in the hands of smallholder farmers.

The diversity of tea, I think we've seen it across the table, whether it be mate, infusions, green tea, black tea, masala, matcha.

So it is really truly a global commodity.

And along with its crucial role in global national economies, it represents an important source of employment and contributes to the income of millions of households.

This includes many smallholder farmers, which, as I mentioned, represent a significant production of the global production.

It also promotes economic inclusion, empowers rural communities, including women, and I think the ambassador of Peru highlighted some good examples on this in Peru, and it boosts community resilience.

But behind these numbers, we have to recognize that the people and communities represent cultures, traditions, and opportunities.

And in order to harness these opportunities in support of sustainable development,

and wellness, farmers need access to knowledge, technology, investment, and markets.

And we need to support them to produce more sustainably and to further include, empower, and inspire others to join the tea production.

From field to cup, wellness is for us when farmers and rural communities, their environments and livelihoods benefit from efficient, transparent, and sustainable value chains.

Sharing a cup of tea is, as the ambassador of Morocco shared with us, it's hospitality, connection, and invitation for dialogue.

even if we don't have shared beliefs or a common language.

So I would add to our theme this morning in Rome, I would add that when we sustain tea, we support communities, but we also contribute to wellness.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Angelica.

We've heard a rich diversity of perspectives this afternoon, from tea as a cultural tradition and social connector to its contribution to wellness, both physical and mental, and livelihoods.

So we would now open the floor to the audience.

If there are questions and comments from delegations, we would be happy to take them.

So you can just maybe press your microphone button and we can pass on the floor to you in case anyone would like to speak.

Russian Federation.

Ilya, you have the floor.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I'm Ilya Andreev from the Russian mission.

I don't have a plate here, but anyway, I want everybody to know that I'm from Russia.

First of all, I would like to congratulate everyone here on the International Tea Day and express our great appreciation to the Indian mission for organizing this event.

I'm very delighted to be here, comparing to many other meetings in this building.

It was very interesting to hear experience on cultures of e-consumption in different countries and regions.

I have to say that we fully share all the assessments.

About the role of tea, be it tea, matcha, mate, or chai.

In Russia, we call tea chai, the same as in India.

So we share assessment that the role of tea as a cultural bridge, as a human,

human connector and the source for dialogue.

Actually, tea and chai holds a special place in Russian culture and everyday life.

And the traditions in our country are passed down from one generation to another and remain an integral part of

home atmosphere and hospitality.

Thank you very much again for this opportunity.

It was very interesting to hear from you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

If there are no further requests, oh yes, please go ahead, ma'am.

Thank you very much for organizing this event to our partners in India and all the speakers.

Thank you for sharing your national

positions, I think, on how tea is integral to the, I think, the cultural, social structure within the country.

And it definitely is something we share in the Gulf region, in Bahrain.

I mean, it's something that goes back to the time of...

I don't know, maybe before the British India company, I think that, of course, supported bringing spices from India to the region.

But it goes way back to before that to Islamic times.

And it's very interesting because in our region, we, or in Bahrain, we have people that prefer coffee,

the Arabic coffee, and we have others that prefer the chai or, you know, there are so many ways that we say it in Bahrain because it could be chai, shahi.

Um...

And I think what you drink around the table represents which strata of society you come from, which is very interesting.

And, you know, there are very different ethnic and heritage-wise that come into the equation.

But tea remains, I think, a representation of refined taste.

So, yeah, thank you for having us here.

Thank you very much, Excellency.

Any further requests?

Any other comments, questions?

Go ahead, sir.

Mike for Afghanistan, please.

Thank you.

First of all, I would like to thank, per permission of India, Ambassador Harish, and also thank all distinguished panelists for their very insightful

remarks about the tea, and also congratulations this International Day of Tea.

Afghanistan, I just wanted to add also that we are the biggest consumer of the tea, and tea is one of the formal drink in our country.

And in any settings, official or unofficial, always tea is offered as a way of hospitality.

And we consume black tea and green tea commonly.

And it's, as far as I remember, even it's a common notion among the people that in winter they drink black tea and in summer they drink green tea for well-being and for health.

So I thank you very much once again and congratulations for this.

And it's a great event of today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Madhavi, go ahead.

Thank you very much, and thank you, Ambassador, for convening this, and therefore all those who presented and shared ideas.

Very interesting that it can start from tea there, as we see mostly the women picking the tea, but they connect to the world.

And the type of different types of how people prepare tea, it's very interesting, the real cultural exchange.

Now, talking about mechanization, FAO has mentioned about need for smallholder farmers for knowledge, new knowledge, technology and investment.

I think this is where there is need for more international cooperation to come in.

has been producing a lot of tea.

You see tea out there, it's exported.

So it's also contributing to the GDP of the country.

But if we are to make more money with the financing for development being an issue and we need more resource mobilization, probably this is where we need to work on local processing.

Because much of what the tea we produce, it's exported raw.

What if we start now investing in the local processing of the tea so that we package in our own countries, we are able to produce jobs and, you know,

we export and we get more from what we are producing.

I wanted to contribute that.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for the effort.

Thank you very much, Excellency.

I think I don't see any further requests for the floor, so I'll just quickly share some logistical information that I think everyone wants to know.

I think before that, just to address a point, I think you have made a very important point, Ambassador.

Value addition should happen in countries so that it can create jobs.

I think this is a larger movement.

Branding of tea, packaging of tea, and should be closer to consumption, should be closer to countries where it is consumed.

Let us not forget that the tea industry was very much linked to colonialism in one way or another.

The 250 years of U.S.

Independence is linked to the Boston Tea Party, of a different kind of tea party, but it was linked to colonialism.

So production was in certain areas.

Processing and branding and distribution was located in certain areas.

This is a larger issue of how do you bring value and jobs back to the areas from where it began.

It's an important issue and it's an issue we should continue to work on.

And this is an issue where we all continue to significantly focus on.

Thank you, sir.

So we have now come to the end of our discussion today.

And I think before, you know, I don't want to spend too much time on niceties.

I think everyone is waiting for the tea and the samosas.

So those will begin.

The tea tasting starts at 4.15 in the delegates lounge on the second floor, where we would be very happy for all of you to join us.

We will be presenting not just masala chai, but a selection of Indian wellness teas, which would include tulsi turmeric, moringa, hibiscus, all of them coming from India.

So we invite you to join us.

And of course, we will also be presenting some delicious Indian snacks, including samosa, as I just mentioned.

So once again, I would like to thank everyone for coming.

I would like to thank our speakers for sharing their insights and really bringing us together on the shared culture of tea that perhaps is yet another thing that unites us rather than divides us.

So thank you very much.

And I would bring the meeting to a close.

Thank you.