• ASCI builds and expands upon principles agreed upon at COP22 in 2016 for the palm oil sector.
• The others include Edo State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, the Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone.
• Initiative puts these producing countries at the forefront of defining the principles for the sustainable development of cocoa, rubber, palm oil and coffee.
Ministers from ten African countries will today sign the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative Declaration (ASCI).
The signing at Sharm El-Sheik in Egypt will take place at the Ghana Pavilion, attended by ministers from the signatory countries.
This is a single set of principles for the responsible production of agricultural commodities in Africa.
The ten countries are Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Edo State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone.
This initiative puts these producing countries at the forefront of defining the principles for the sustainable development of cocoa, rubber, palm oil, coffee and other commodities, in a way that protects livelihoods and natural resources like forests.
ASCI builds and expands upon principles agreed upon at COP22 in 2016 for the palm oil sector.
The Marrakesh Declaration for Sustainable Development of the Palm Oil sector acknowledged the role of agricultural commodity development as a driver of deforestation.
It emphasised the critical role of forests and forest conservation in addressing climate change.
The Marrakesh Declaration has been implemented through the African Palm Oil Initiative (Apoi), which comprises of the above-mentioned countries.
These countries account for 25 per cent of the world’s tropical forests and 75 per cent of Africa’s forests.
Proforest Global and Africa Director Abraham Baffoe said there was huge progress from COP22, when the Marrakesh Declaration was signed, to COP26 in 2021.
He said that every country demonstrated crucial milestones to achieve the sustainable development of palm oil.
“Many countries have recognised the need to work across multiple commodities," Baffoe said.
"The launch of ASCI is an important progression with every country engaging at the regional, national and local level throughout the process.”
At COP26 in Glasgow, signatories of the Marrakesh Declaration met to recognise and share five years of progress.
This is with significant milestones from legal frameworks for land rights to private sector commitments on restoration and investment in smallholders to boost productivity while protecting forests.
Ministers agreed that the issues being addressed in palm oil were the same in other commodities.
Catalysing the transition to ASCI will ensure all sectors are aligned to drive positive outcomes for people, nature and climate.
“We need the guardians of the forests, national governments and local communities to own and lead solutions on the ground that integrate agricultural commodity production and local livelihoods with forest protection,” Baffoe said.
He said that embedding those rights and protection in laws and regulations will provide an enabling environment where Africa can continue to build capacity.
This will prepare the way for further investment and scaling within the continent.
Governments have recognised the potential for growth in the production of palm oil, cocoa and other agricultural commodities.
This will meet the increasing global demand and contribute to food security and better livelihoods for millions of Africans.
This will also protect the region’s remaining rainforests.
Diversification of food production provides resilience and improves each country’s food security as well as helps to offset the impact of climate change.
The Congo Basin alone can hold 30 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to three years of global fuel emissions; and its forests are essential for regional climate stability.