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In 2021, the World Potato Congress Inc, (WPC), under the support of Directors Romain Cools and André Devaux, began to explore the idea of a day to celebrate and honour the potato.  Over the years, multiple countries from around the world became engaged with the FAO/UN on this initiative.

Fast forward to 2024, the WPC is excited to be collaborating with the FAO in the official campaign launch of the International Day of Potato released in 6 official languages. https://www.fao.org/international-potato-day/en

As stated by FAO’ in “A Guide to International Day of the Potato 2024” :

In December 2023, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 30 May as the International Day of Potato. Potatoes are eaten by more than one billion people around the world and are a vital food source.

In 2024, we celebrate the first International Day of Potato by focusing on the contribution of the potato to the lives of producers and consumers with the timely theme: Harvesting diversity, feeding hope.

This guide provides a brief history of the potato from its origins in the Andes mountains to a global food staple as well as its profound impact on human beings and farming systems. It’s also a call to action for governments, civil society and non-government organizations, parents and educators to learn more about the potato and how it enriches our lives.

The FAO and WPC encourages all levels to use the guide, visual identity and tag line provided by the FAO to celebrate the potato in their region of the globe and share your campaign #InternationalDayofPotato.

As the 3rd most consumed food globally, the potato also offers enormous untapped potential. We can all get involved. Together we can raise awareness and advance the potential of the potato to combat hunger and malnutrition.

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The World Potato Congress will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, conveniently located in the heart of Adelaide. Situated just 15 minutes from the airport, the Adelaide Convention Centre offers easy accessibility, with over 3,500 accommodation rooms within a five-minute walk. This central and well-connected location makes it the perfect venue for the WPC in 2024. Besides the main program, post-Congress tour stops will feature Peter Cooper, a certified seed potato grower on Kangaroo Island, Mitolo Farms, a major potato producer and packer, picturesque wine regions, globally acclaimed research facilities at SARDI and much more.
 

Sponsorship and trade show opportunities are available. The Congress will provide an excellent opportunity for the potato industry to network, make new business connections, engage with the global audience, and secure contracts whilst attending WPC 2024.