RSPO to keep collaborations with partners inclusive
As we review our Principles and Criteria (P&C), we must account for the different perspectives and possibilities, diverse markets and stakeholder groups, especially the less privileged ones.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) will continue working with its partners particularly in developing and emerging regions to keep collaborations as inclusive as possible.
This was to ensure that every voice, especially those from affected communities, was heard and accounted for, said chief executive officer, Datuk Darrel Webber.
He also said the non- profit organisation would ensure that best practices and standards were attainable and beneficial to all parties.
“As we review our Principles and Criteria (P&C), we must account for the different perspectives and possibilities, diverse markets and stakeholder groups, especially the less privileged ones,” he told a media briefing on RSPO via teleconferencing yesterday.
Webber, who launched the RSPO’s 15th Annual Roundtable Meeting earlier yesterday, said the process must empower stakeholders to find local solutions to local issues that work within an international
Datuk Darrel Webber, RSPO chief executive officer
framework.
The two-day conference, which kicked off today in Bali, Indonesia, themed ‘Inclusivity and Accountability’, signifies the RSPO’s commitment to encourage greater transparency and collaboration amongst an ever-growing list of stakeholders.
Webber said aligning with the conference theme, there were number of achievements whereby as of June 30, 2017, RSPO had identified and managed 189,777 hectares (ha) of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, an increase of 21 per cent from June 21, 2016.
He said the Asia-Pacific region had also seen significant gains in identified HCV areas, with Malaysia recording an increase of 8,399ha, supported by an increase of 5,864ha across the rest of the region except Indonesia.
“We have made significant progress with RSPO- certified plantations covering a total of 3.2 million hectares across 16 countries.
“Meanwhile, RSPO membership has increased steadily across the world, with China and North America recording rises of 40 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively,” he added. — Bernama