The ICO was a result of the five-year International Coffee Agreement (ICA) signed in 1962 at the UN in New York City.

"[3] The ICO's headquarters is located at 222 Gray's Inn Road in London and its current executive director is the Brazilian Vanúsia Nogueira.

[8] The ICO serves as a watchdog by keeping track of exports and imports and by administering quotas under the 1962 ICA to coffee consuming and producing countries.

[9] Monitoring quotas and establishing limitations is important to protect producers and consumers by creating an equilibrium that avoids price escalation while keeping fair wages for coffee growers.

[10] It meets in March and September to discuss coffee matters, approve strategic documents and consider the recommendations of advisory bodies and committees.