COP 29 side event: Exploring Solutions for Environmental and Social Sustainability for Inclusive Trade
COP 29 side event: Exploring Solutions for Environmental and Social Sustainability for Inclusive Trade
Conference of the Parties (COP)
Governments tackle climate and environment issues through due diligence regulations that may impact livelihoods in developing countries.
This session discussed balancing sustainability in global supply chains, focusing on smallholder farmers and forest producers, and explores potential measures and tools.
Specific objectives of the session:
- Foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of agricultural and forest-based trade with environmental and social sustainability.
- Share insights and reflexions in due diligence approaches to address social and environmental regulations from various examples, projects, policies, initiatives and actors.
- Inspire collaborative efforts among stakeholders to achieve balanced sustainability goals.
The session covered topics on integrated policy frameworks, community-led initiatives, voluntary sustainability initiatives, responsible business conduct, due diligence, technological innovations, and case studies, and featured speakers from different sectors and regions, including policy makers, voluntary initiatives, industry experts, and smallholder producers from countries subject to due diligence regulations.
These key topics were discussed by Sebastien Dessus from the World Bank, Sharon Cherono from KENAFF, Francoise Van de Ven from ATIBT, Kati Partanen from the World Farmers’ Organization, and our Head of Advocacy, Thorsten Arndt. Tiina Huvio from Agricord moderated the session.
Bios
 | Tiina Huvio, Executive Director, Food and Forest Development Finland - FFD Tiina has a 25+ year-experience in rural and private sector development. She has been working for FAO, DANIDA, the Foreign Ministry of Finland and finally, the last 10 years for FFD. FFD supports organizations of smallholders in the sectors of agriculture and forestry. Through this work, Tiina has followed-up both individual and organizational evolution paths. She has insights on what it takes to accompany an informal farmer group to a successful entrepreneurial entity, but also in which ways this process can fail. Ms. Huvio is passionate defender of farmers and their rights and believes strongly that their role in decision-making needs to be strengthened. |
| Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy, PEFC International Thorsten has been working with PEFC International for the past 15 years, seeing it grow from smallholder-initiated forest certification system to the world’s leading organization promoting sustainable forest management. PEFC certifies more than 300 million hectares of forests globally and is represented in more than 50 countries around the world. The important role of PEFC in safeguarding the world’s forest is globally recognized, with PEFC being selected as an official indicators by the United Nations for achieving Target 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 15). Mr Arndt is also a public speaker and pro bono leader of Toastmasters International, having won several local, national and regional public speaking contests. |
| Sharon Cherono, Assistant Project Officer, Kenya National Farmers’ Federation - KENAFF Cherono Sharon is an environmentalist and natural resource management specialist dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation in Kenya. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management and has completed multiple professional programs in climate governance, project evaluation, and advocacy. Her background includes roles in forestry management, waste reduction, and wate r recycling. |
 | Françoise Van de Ven, President, ATIBT Vast experience in the forest-timber sector, In business management as well as in national associations, before her election as President of ATIBT. During her nearly 20 years in Belgium and 25 years in Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon), she built up an extensive international network and her knowledge of the countries of the Congo Basin, make her a contact person for stakeholders. Member of the FAO Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-based Industries. |
 | Kati Partanen, Board Member, World Farmers’ Organization Kati Partanen is farmer and forest owner from Finland. She’s member of the Board of the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners, MTK Finland, since 2011 and has played a significant role in the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO). |
