EVENTS
Making sustainable palm oil the norm in Africa
Close to 200 delegates came together on 20 August at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana for Africa’s third Sustainable Palm Oil Conference. The event was hosted to discuss the urgent need for a long term sustainable development plan for palm oil production in Africa. 1
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A
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s the presence of the
can only achieve its vision of transforming
Roundtable on Sustainable
markets to make sustainable palm oil
Palm Oil (RSPO) increases with
the norm through collaboration with
certified members in over 15
all stakeholders, from growers and
countries across Africa, and with stringent
governments to financial institutions and
new principles and criteria in place, the
NGOs,’ he stated.
conference provided an ideal platform
Abraham Baffoe, Africa regional director
for a constructive debate around regional
for Proforest, added: ‘A sustainable oil palm
vision and renewed commitment from key
industry in Africa is something we are deeply
producing countries.
committed to; it’s wonderful to have so
With high profile dignitaries, growers,
much interest from companies and other
NGOs, financial institutions and consumer
stakeholders. We look forward to seeing
goods manufacturers in attendance, it
these connections deepen as a result of
was mutually acknowledged if African
this conference, as we all work together
palm oil producing countries achieve their
towards an industry that contributes to the
ambition to convert from net importers
economic development of African countries,
to net exporters, palm oil production will
whilst preserving the crucially important
significantly increase.
biodiversity of the region.’
Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, governor of Edo State, Nigeria delivered a strong
Supporting smallholders
message to delegates and the industry: ‘If
With smallholders estimated to account
you are not part of the solution, then you are
for approximately 70 percent of palm oil
part of the problem. Let me congratulate all
production area in Africa, yet roughly only 30
of you here today, for demonstrating your
percent of output, supporting smallholders
commitment to a solution. It’s in the interests
to improve their yields was another focal
of all of us in Africa to make sustainable
point for delegates.
palm oil the norm.’
Robert Fagans, Liberia’s deputy minister
1: Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, governor of Edo State, Nigeria 2: Delegates who attended Africa’s third Sustainable Palm Oil Conference 3: Stakeholders who spoke at Africa’s third Sustainable Palm Oil Conference, hosted by the RSPO and Proforest
A new frontier for oil palm Approximately six percent of global palm oil is produced in West Africa, making it a new frontier for oil palm production. RSPO’s engagement in Africa is growing with 70 members and counting. It first established a physical presence in the region in July 2017 in Ghana and by September 2018 it had expanded to Cameroon. The work the Africa team does enables the organisation to ensure regional contexts are taken into consideration in developing and implementing RSPO’s statutes.
The conference covered the regional
of agriculture, commented: ‘Working with
implementation of the 2018 RSPO principles
Committed to sustainability
smallholders to improve their yields through
and criteria; the role of financial institutions
It’s vitally important any development is
sustainable farming methods is critical for
in promoting sustainable agriculture;
done sustainably, ensuring a balance
palm oil growth in Liberia.’
how governments can mainstream
between palm oil production and nature
RSPO has been developing a new,
sustainability; and opportunities to change
conservation. This is crucial where livelihoods
separate standard to simplify the entry
the deforestation narrative in African palm
are intricately connected to the palm oil
process into the certification system. RSPO
oil producing countries. The new decent
industry and natural resources, and where
members are expected to vote to adopt the
living wage guidance was also socialised
oil palm growing areas overlap areas of
proposed RSPO independent smallholder
with members as an important tool to help
international conservation such as high
standard during its general assembly in
improve livelihoods. •
forest cover countries like Gabon.
November. RSPO will continue to work with
RSPO’s assurance director, Salahudin
local partners on the ground to ensure
Yaacob, called for a long term sustainable
sustainable palm oil production in Africa
development plan in the region. ‘RSPO
benefits people and the planet.
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| SEPTEMBER 2019 | P C Review
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil – www.rspo.org
