Founded at the International Cotton Meeting in Washington, DC in 1939, the ICAC advocates for cotton producing nations, publishes studies and technical information on the cotton industry, and holds an annual Plenary Meeting of member states.

While most of the world's cotton producing nations are members, two of the ten largest producers (The People's Republic of China and Turkmenistan) are not members of the ICAC.

All of the top five cotton exporting nations are members.

The IFCP serves as a forum and clearinghouse for the exchange of proven cotton promotion techniques.

[1] Member nations and date joining:[2]