ICO Director Robério Oliveira Silva Passes Away at Age 53

Robério Oliveira Silva speaking at the World Coffee Leaders Forum in 2013.

International Coffee Association Executive Director Robério Oliveira Silva has died at age 53, according to the ICO.

Mr. Oliveira Silva assumed the organization’s top executive position in 2011, from which he actively and eloquently promoted the need for increased support for the world’s smallholder farmers through shared value among supply chains.

The ICO has shared the following announcement of Oliveira Silva’s untimely passing:

The International Coffee Organization announces, with great sadness, the passing of the Executive Director, Mr Robério Oliveira Silva, on 30 December 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Mr Silva’s dedication to the coffee community was exceptional and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family at this sad time.