7 November 2025
Proforest promotes dialogue and sustainability at the leading palm oil industry event in the Americas
Proforest participated in the XXI International Oil Palm Conference, organized by Fedepalma and Cenipalma from September 23–25 at the Cartagena de Indias Convention Center, Colombia. Recognized as the most important event for the palm oil sector in Colombia and Latin America, the conference brought together industry leaders, producers, traders, brands, researchers, suppliers, and other stakeholders from over 60 countries.
Under the theme “Adapt and Grow: Towards a Sustainable Future in the Palm Oil Agroindustry,” the conference explored the sector’s main challenges and opportunities around sustainability, supply chain traceability, and the increasing demands of international markets.
Proforest had an active presence at the event with an information booth, where it showcased its mission, lines of work, and ongoing efforts to drive positive change for people, nature, and climate. The Responsible Sourcing and Production team also presented a technical poster sharing the results of a stakeholder consultation project within Colombia’s palm oil industry. The project focused on identifying risks and impacts on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in production areas, and designing and implementing measures to address them. This initiative is part of Proforest’s broader portfolio of projects developed with one of its global clients, under the human rights due diligence workstream.
Proforest also facilitated an in-person meeting of member companies and participants of the POCG Latin America Chapter—an international collaboration group that promotes sustainability in the palm oil industry through the implementation of No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation (NDPE) commitments. During the session, participants emphasized the value of creating spaces for dialogue among different actors in the sector:
Being able to sit down with our competitors, stakeholders, and suppliers at the same table to talk about sustainability—there are very few spaces that allow for that.
Many thanks to Proforest, which has always been an excellent facilitator in our dialogue and reconciliation processes.
Proforest reaffirms its conviction that meaningful progress happens when industry actors come together to talk, share, and collaborate. Facilitating dialogue is at the heart of the organization’s DNA—it connects perspectives, fosters collective learning, aligns efforts, and strengthens collective action toward fairer, more transparent, and more responsible value chains.
The conference provided valuable opportunities to continue building a more sustainable sector. Proforest will remain a strategic ally in driving positive change within and beyond the palm oil value chain, with sustainability, collaboration, and dialogue as the cornerstones of this process.
