The Southeast Asia Green Coffee Competition continued its momentum today, October 7, 2025, with the culmination of the elimination rounds held at the Sultan Kudarat Convention Center, as part of the ongoing International Coffee Innovation Summit 2025.
The competition gathered outstanding coffee producers and roasters from Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, and the Philippines, each showcasing the best of their green coffee beans through intensive evaluation and sensory judging. Participants demonstrated excellence in quality, aroma, flavor profile, and roasting precision as judges from the SEA Green Working Committee and the Filipino Coffee Institute assessed the entries.
The elimination rounds marked a critical phase leading to the finals of the Southeast Asia Green Coffee Competition, which will take place on October 8. Winners will advance to the championship round, where the finest coffees in the region will be recognized for their innovation and exceptional craftsmanship.
Full support for the event was articulated by Dr. Samson L. Molao, EdD, University President of Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU), who highlighted the university’s unwavering commitment to driving innovation and collaboration within the coffee sector. This commitment was echoed by Mr. Samuel Mors D. Hilbero, MS, Director of the SKSU Coffee Center, who emphasized the center’s ongoing dedication to improving coffee quality and production through research, training, and robust industry partnerships. Mr. Hilbero further noted that the event serves as a crucial venue for showcasing the province’s capacity to become a national benchmark for coffee excellence and sustainability.
This international event also reflects Sultan Kudarat State University’s active contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through its research initiatives, partnerships, and advocacy for sustainable coffee production, SKSU plays a vital role in promoting inclusive economic growth, fostering innovation within the agricultural sector, and strengthening regional linkages. The university’s co-hosting of the summit underscores its commitment to integrating sustainability and community empowerment into education and industry collaboration.
The International Coffee Innovation Summit 2025 brings together its co-hosts, Sultan Kudarat State University, the Filipino Coffee Institute, the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Agriculture, and Specialty Coffee Depot, with the valued support of the Department of Tourism, Villa Clara, Cropster, and Akirakoki.
The summit, which runs from October 5 to 9, 2025, continues to serve as a dynamic platform for business networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among coffee growers, roasters, government agencies, and industry leaders across Southeast Asia, further positioning Sultan Kudarat as a growing center of coffee innovation and collaboration.