From Tajikistan to Brussels: Shamsiddinova Shamsiya Advocates for Fairer Cotton Supply Chains to EU Policymakers at the Fair Trade Advocacy Marathon
Supported by Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO) under the European Commission Financial Framework Partnership agreement programme – “The Future is Fair”
Brussels, Belgium – November 5–6, 2025
The Fair Trade Advocacy Marathon 2025 was recently held from 5–6 November 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together key stakeholders from across the global Fair Trade movement — including producers, civil society organizations, businesses, and EU policymakers — for a two-day series of policy dialogues, workshops, and strategic discussions focused on advancing the global agenda for ethical, inclusive, and sustainable trade.
Representing Fairtrade NAPP was Ms. Shamsiddinova Shamsiya, a cotton farmer and member of the Non-Commercial Cooperative “Green Agriculture” in Tajikistan. As an active member of the Fairtrade NAPP Cotton Product Network and the Cotton Advocacy Working Group, she brought forward valuable insights and lived experiences from the perspective of smallholder cotton producers in Central Asia.
Speaking at the European Parliament: Bringing the Voices of Cotton Farmers to Europe
Her participation was supported by the Fair Trade Advocacy Office (FTAO) under the ECFFPA Project – “The Future is Fair”, in which Fairtrade NAPP is an active consortium member.
During the European Parliament Fair Trade Breakfast, Shamsiya delivered a powerful speech on the topic:
“Realities of Cotton and Textile Farmers and w in Achieving Sustainable Livelihoods through Living Income and Living Wage.”
In her address, Shamsiya shared the lived experiences of smallholder cotton farmers in Central Asia — highlighting the challenges they face in achieving a dignified standard of living despite being the backbone of the global cotton industry.
“Cotton is often called white gold. But for many smallholder farmers, it has not brought prosperity,” she said. “In countries like Tajikistan, cotton farming remains one of the few sources of rural employment and income. Yet, the prices farmers receive rarely cover the true cost of production — let alone provide a living income.”
She emphasized that living income and living wage are not only about higher pay, but about ensuring access to basic human needs — food, healthcare, education, and a safe home.
Through examples from her cooperative, she illustrated how even small increases in income can transform lives — empowering women, enabling sustainable farming practices, and strengthening rural communities.
“True sustainability cannot be built from Brussels alone,” Shamsiya said. “It must be built with the people who grow the cotton, nurture the land, and feed their communities. Support us — and we will deliver the sustainability we all believe in.”
Advocating for Inclusive EU Sustainability Regulations
Shamsiya highlighted the evolving landscape of cotton production in Central Asia and the critical role Fair Trade partnerships have played in driving positive change.
She addressed long-standing barriers faced by Central Asian cotton cooperatives, noting that outdated perceptions from the Soviet era once limited market access and discouraged international buyers due to concerns around transparency and labor conditions. She emphasized that this narrative is shifting, stating that recent analyses from her cooperative demonstrate high fiber quality and clear alignment with sustainability standards, proving that Central Asian cotton is fully capable of meeting global expectations.
She further stressed that although Fair Trade is a powerful tool, systemic inequalities across the supply chain require broader collective action. Drawing attention to the responsibilities of global brands, retailers, and policymakers, she called for:
Long-term and committed sourcing partnerships
Capacity-building support for producers
Shared risk in times of climate and market volatility
A fairer distribution of value from farm to fashion
In her remarks, Shamsiya also addressed the impact of upcoming EU sustainability and due diligence regulations on smallholder producers. While supporting the EU’s vision for transparent and ethical supply chains, she cautioned that implementation must consider the financial and technological realities faced by farmers in developing countries.
She proposed four key points for EU policymakers to make sustainability work for everyone:
- Provide financial support for farmers to access digital and agricultural technologies.
- Offer technical assistance and training to build local capacity.
- Allow realistic transition periods for small producers to adapt.
- Involve farmers and cooperatives from Central Asia in shaping sustainability rules that affect them.
“We are not asking for exceptions,” she said. “We are asking for partnership.”
A Voice for Central Asian Cotton Producers
As a Fairtrade NAPP delegate and representative of Central Asia’s cotton sector, Shamsiya’s presence at the Fair Trade Advocacy Marathon marked an important milestone for the region. Her engagement ensured that the perspectives and challenges of Central Asian producers — especially women farmers — were heard at the highest policy levels within the European Union.
“Let us make sure her work — her dignity — is not lost in the threads of global trade,” Shamsiya concluded. “Let us weave together a future where ‘white gold’ finally brings golden lives to those who cultivate it.”
Reflections After the Fair Trade Advocacy Marathon
Following the event, Shamsiya shared her reflections:
"The entire week was a powerful and eye-opening experience. The agenda was rich and well-structured — starting with our preparatory sessions and advocacy briefings, followed by meetings with the European Parliament, European Commission, and Fair Trade Advocacy Office. Each dialogue offered new insights into how EU sustainability and due diligence policies are being shaped and how they could influence our cotton supply chain.
During the panel sessions, I was inspired by discussions on climate change, living income, gender equality, and fair pricing — topics that deeply connect to our daily reality as farmers. The visit to the European Parliament was especially meaningful, as it gave us the chance to directly engage with decision-makers, share our challenges, and propose realistic ways for small producers to comply with new sustainability laws.
On a personal level, the Marathon was more than an advocacy event — it was a space for solidarity, learning, and empowerment. I had the chance to meet inspiring leaders, producer representatives, and Fairtrade partners from across the regions of the world. We exchanged stories of resilience and innovation, and I truly felt the strength of our shared commitment to fair and sustainable trade.
I am grateful to FTAO, Fairtrade NAPP, and Fairtrade International for making this possible. It was truly an honour to bring the voices of smallholder farmers to such an important platform. As we return home, we bring not only policy insights but also renewed motivation to continue building sustainable, climate-resilient, and fair supply chains in our regions."