The Marrakesh Declaration represents a shared pledge to develop national oil palm sectors in ways that deliver environmental targets while respecting national land use plans and the rights of indigenous peoples.

The palm oil sector has serious implications for our environment, most notably the large-scale forest conversion and loss of critical habitat for endangered species causes immense damages to our environment, in particular  Its part of ongoing work taking place across the private sector, public sector and civil society in nine countries under the umbrella of the Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI). Nine palm oil producing countries (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone) are currently engaged in the APOI.

The declaration represents a public acknowledgement that, whilst investment in the oil palm sector in Africa has the potential to deliver economic benefits to the region, it also brings with it the potential risk of significant negative social and environmental impacts, including deforestation, land conflicts, human rights abuses and the destruction of High Conservation Values.

That’s why WeForest supports the Marrakesh Declaration for Sustainable Development of the Oil Palm Sector in Africa.