The 2nd Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) 2020 Regional workshop is underway in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan.

The two-day workshop, which begun yesterday October 6, 2016 brings together over 40 individuals from nine African countries to discuss and agree a shared regional framework for the responsible production of palm oil in the region.

The workshop brought together representatives from the public and private sector, civil society and local groups as part of the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020’s (TFA 2020) Africa Palm Oil Initiative.

The Africa Palm Oil Initiative Regional Workshop is being organized by Proforest on behalf of TFA 2020 and in collaboration with the Government of Cote d’Ivoire, Solidaridad and REDD at the Tiama Hotel in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

The principal aim of the workshop is to finalize the text of the Regional Accord, as well as further dialogue around key issues and a review of lessons learned from the process. Building on the rapid and substantial progress at national and regional levels, the regional process is now focused on preparing the Regional Accord to be signed by Ministers from the nine countries during the annual UN Climate Conference (COP22) in Marrakesh, Morocco in November 2016.

The TFA 2020 Africa Palm Oil Initiative aims to achieve a prosperous palm oil industry: one which provides jobs and wealth to local communities in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable and protects the rich tropical forests of the region.

This is expected to be achieved through developing and implementing a set of regional principles for responsible oil palm development that balance rural development and domestic economic growth and at the same time protects forests on a large scale. The outcomes can be transforming: protecting critical natural resources (e.g. intact primary forest landscapes, peatland, riparian areas and biodiversity corridors), delivering economic and social benefits for smallholder farmers and local communities, and recognizing and respecting community and the indigenous people’s rights. The regional workshop will bring together partner countries who are at different stages of the process from Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone.

Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Liberia have already developed national principles for the responsible production of palm oil for their countries and are finalizing action plans (roadmaps) to implement these principles on the ground.

About the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 (TFA 2020)

The Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 (TFA 2020) is a global public-private partnership in which partners take voluntary action, individually and in combination, to reduce the tropical deforestation associated with the sourcing of commodities such as palm oil, soy, beef and paper and pulp. TFA 2020 is in a unique position to foster cross-sector collaboration based on a common and ever-deeper understanding of the barriers and opportunities linked to deforestation-free supply chains. Its greatest offering is a partnership of champions for deforestation-free global and local economies, making the case for sustainable supply chains as an essential pathway towards a better economy and achievement of the Global Goals.

About Proforest

Proforest is a unique, non-profit group that helps companies, governments and others to implement their commitments to the responsible production and sourcing of agricultural commodities and forest products. The group works through a combination of programmes and consultancy services in order to provide the most appropriate and up-to-date support to its partners and clients.