16–19 September 2025 — VBX welcomed almost 500 delegates from more than 30 countries for the European Cocoa Association (ECA) Worldwide Forum, hosted at the Radisson Golden Sands Resort.

The ECA serves as a bridge between EU institutions and its members, addressing regulatory, scientific and technical matters affecting the cocoa value chain, and fostering collaboration across trading, processing, warehousing and logistics.

Across four days, the programme focused on sustainability, innovation and technological progress in the cocoa sector, with the main forum complemented by more than ten side meetings on current industry themes.

Board members and leaders from across the globe—including representatives of the World Cocoa Foundation and the Federation of Cocoa Commerce—gathered for a welcome dinner at Palazzo Parisio. Delegates then enjoyed a terrace reception at the Radisson, followed by cultural visits to Mdina and Valletta, including a private viewing of St John’s Co-Cathedral, and an evening of Maltese cuisine at Bacchus Restaurant on the Mdina bastions.

The forum concluded with a gala dinner at the Knights’ Old Hospital in Valletta: a terrace reception celebrating ECA’s 25th anniversary, followed by dinner in La Vallette Hall.

Delegates departed with fresh industry insights—and a deeper appreciation of Maltese hospitality and culture.