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25.09.2015 Press Statement

Ghana To Host Africa Sustainable Palm Oil Forum

By Janet Dabire
Ghana To Host Africa Sustainable Palm Oil Forum
25.09.2015 LISTEN

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 in Accra on 29 September 2015 at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

The event themed Sustainable Palm Oil in Africa: Getting it Right from the Start will bring together oil palm growers, civil society, financial institutions, development partners, governments and key experts to share knowledge and experience.

Africa has seen significant investments in the oil palm sector over the past decade. These include new plantation establishment, rehabilitation of abandoned and derelict plantations, investments in more efficient mills and refineries as well as innovative smallholder initiatives.

The growing oil palm sector can contribute significantly to economic development and help alleviate rural poverty. At the same time, the expanding sector could come with significant social and environmental impacts, unless adequate safeguards are put in place.

The RSPO provides an opportunity to address the social and environmental impacts of oil palm production. The RSPO is a non-profit association that brings together palm oil producers, processors and traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, and environmental and social non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to develop and implement a global standard for sustainable palm oil production.

Though the Roundtable is still relatively new in Africa, many growers are beginning to adopt the best practice guidelines contained in the standard.

Solidaridad West Africa and Proforest, with the support of RSPO, are therefore organising the one-day forum on sustainable palm oil in Africa to facilitate the effective uptake, of the standard needed to address to the realities of the West and Central African Regions.

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