Agricultural Products
Palm Oil

Africa the new palm frontier: can we avoid the mistakes of the past? – event ... Join us for a seminar on 23 November 2016, 6pm-8.30pm (GMT), to discuss the future of Africa’s palm oil industry

Burgess COMMENTARY
I learned about the United Africa Company, a subsidiary of Unilever as a young auditor in the early 1960s. Subsequently in the 70s, 80s and 90s did a lot of work in developing countries through the UN, World Bank and private organizations. Currently my team is working on a better system of accounting to take into account money impact, people impact and environmental impact. The world can be a better place!
Peter Burgess

Africa the new palm frontier: can we avoid the mistakes of the past? – event Join us for a seminar on 23 November 2016, 6pm-8.30pm (GMT), to discuss the future of Africa’s palm oil industry Palm oil workers in northwestern Liberia Palm oil workers in northwestern Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world where two thirds of the population live on less than a dollar a day. Photograph: Anne Chaon/AFP/Getty Images Supported by RSPOAbout this content

The environmental and social problems arising from the aggressive expansion of palm oil in south-east Asia have been well documented, from the allegations of forest and peatland destruction in Indonesia made against palm oil giant IOI, to reports of vulnerable migrant workers being exploited.

Less discussed are the impacts that the palm oil industry is having in Africa. While palm oil is native to west Africa, the dynamics of the continent’s relationship with the commodity are changing as foreign investors turn their attention to opportunities in countries such as Liberia and Cameroon.

We’ll discuss

This seminar will bring together an expert panel to explore how we can best support the development of a sustainable African palm oil industry. Topics for consideration will include:

Can the mistakes of the past be avoided and a more sustainable palm oil sector be established in Africa? How do companies work in countries undergoing decades-long land rights disputes? How to ensure that communities aren’t pushed aside by governments keen for the investment palm oil can bring? What opportunities can the palm oil industry offer to some of the poorest countries in the world? Our panel

Chair – Eliza Anyangwe, freelance writer and commissioning editor who writes and speaks about Africa, international development and gender

Abraham Baffoe, Africa regional director, Proforest

Christopher Stewart, head of corporate responsibility and sustainability, Olam International

More to be announced.

Event information

Wednesday 23 November 2016, 6pm-8.30pm (GMT)

The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9GU

If you would like to put your name forward to attend, please fill in the form below. While this is a free event, please be aware that space is limited and priority will be given to individuals with relevant professional experience or research interests in global development and sustainable agriculture.