Borneo Coffee Symposium

Borneo Coffee Symposium 2025: Programme Highlights Immerse yourself in the aromatic world of tropical coffee innovation at the Second Borneo Coffee Symposium 2025, spanning two dynamic days—November 29-30—in the grand Auditorium of the Old Courthouse, Kuching, Sarawak. Centered on the theme "Feasibility and Challenges of Tropical Coffee Cultivation," the event explores resilient varieties like Liberica and Excelsa through expert talks, hands-on sessions, and global dialogues, addressing climate adaptation, sustainable farming, and flavor frontiers to future-proof Borneo's coffee heritage. Day 1 (November 29) kicks off with an inspiring Opening Ceremony and Welcome Speech, followed by keynote insights from Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi and Dr. Kenny Lee Wee Ting on the Sarawak Liberica Refinement Project. Dive into sustainability with Alasdair Clayre's vision for Liberica's role in Sarawak's future, sensory science from Dr. Steffen Schwarz, and botanical breakthroughs by Dr. Aaron P. Davis on "The Libericoids." Afternoon sessions tackle climate strategies for Philippine growers (Dr. Alejandro C. Mojica and Dr. Carmen Ablan Lagman), industry overviews from Wendy Anak Luta, and personal journeys like Chang Jong Yiaw's Black Bean Coffee story, wrapping with Dr. Emmanuel Garcia's quest for Philippine coffee identity. Day 2 (November 30) opens with an Emcee welcome, then spotlights Excelsa sustainability via Komal Sable & Akshay Dashrath, rural development with Dr. Manuel Diaz, and processing innovations from Diana Jitam. Explore economics (Ir. Esham Salam), Vietnam's Robusta surge (Lee Chea Hong), and Liberica potential (Sean Lim Chung Hann). Post-lunch, savor the Cross-Species Coffee Cupping session, followed by tales from the fields (Edison Ngoc Hoai An, Liza & Lars Kura-Kura) and ASEAN advancements (Justin Metcalf). The afternoon peaks with a powerhouse Panel Discussion featuring Dr. Schwarz, Dr. Aaron, Dr. Diaz, Dr. Garcia, and Dr. Mojica, quality evaluations (Adi Taroepratjeka), and a farmers' Q&A led by Dr. Kenny and Diana Jitam—culminating in YB Datuk Dr. Jerip Susil's Padawan Liberica Project reveal and closing remarks. Complementing the talks, enjoy a Mini Coffee Exhibition throughout both days for tastings and networking, plus short breaks for reflection. This symposium unites agronomists, farmers, and pioneers in a blend of knowledge and camaraderie.