Events
2009 is UN Year of Natural Fibres
Key themes of the year include :
Natural fibres play an important part in clothing the world's population as well as having traditional and promising new industrial uses;
Much of the world's natural fibre is produced as a source of cash income by small farmers in low-income and developing countries;
Income derived from the sale and export of natural fibres contributes to food security and poverty alleviation of the population;
Whilst the production and consumption of natural fibres offers significant environmental benefits, concerted efforts should be made to ensure that these benefits are not compromised by unsound practices;