Africa Sustainable Palm Oil: Getting it right from the start

Solidaridad West Africa and Proforest, with the support of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), are organising a one-day forum on sustainable palm oil in Africa on 29 September 2015. In conjunction with the forum, RSPO will be organising Open Days on 28 and 30 September. 

The forum will bring together growers, civil society, financial institutions, development partners, government representatives and key experts on sustainable palm oil in West Africa. 

The past decade has seen significant investments in the oil palm sector in West and Central Africa. These include the establishment of new plantations, rehabilitation of abandoned and derelict plantations, investments in more efficient mills and refineries, as well as innovative smallholder initiatives. The expanding oil palm industry can contribute significantly to economic development and help alleviate rural poverty. At the same time, the expanding industry could come with significant social and environmental impacts, unless adequate safeguards are put in place. 

RSPO is still relatively new in Africa, but already many growers are beginning to adopt the best practice guidelines contained in its Principles and Criteria. To facilitate the effective uptake of RSPO, this standard needs to be adapted to the realities of the West and Central African Region. 

Sessions

This one-day forum will have sessions on 

•  creating incentives for sustainable palm oil
• implementing sustainability in practice and mainstreaming sustainable smallholder production
• the future of the oil palm industry in Africa

A dialogue platform in the afternoon will allow participants to join discussions on issues including financing oil palm development, smallholder initiatives, regional capacity needs, and productivity improvement. 

Registration 

Registration for the Africa Sustainable Palm Oil Forum is free. To register please download and complete the registration form by 11 September. 

RSPO Open Days

In conjunction with the Africa Sustainable Palm Oil Forum, RSPO will be organising RSPO Open Days on 28 and 30 September at the same location. These days will enable RSPO members and other stakeholders to obtain the latest updates on RSPO certification, as well as to meet RSPO staff.

More information on RSPO Open Days

For (free) registration and more information about the RSPO Open Days, contact Soo Chin before 11 September.  

Registration deadline

The registration deadline for all three days is 11 September 2015.