SINGAPORE—Smallholders, which provide the vast majority of the global natural rubber supply, are getting seats at the table for the first time during the upcoming general assembly of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber.
This second annual general assembly will be held virtually Sept. 23 and include more than 80 members of the platform representing interests along the supply chain. The two-hour session is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in Singapore (Greenwich Mean Time +8).
These people, for the first time, will be joined by 28 natural rubber smallholders who joined the group earlier this year.
"Smallholders produce about 85 percent of the global natural rubber, and their inclusivity has been a priority of GPSNR since its formation," GPSNR Director Stefano Savi said in a statement. "Smallholders play a key role in driving the natural rubber sustainability agenda starting with our General Assembly, where they will vote on issues that will set the platform's strategy and direction."
A resolution up for consideration during the meeting will be one to create a new membership category for natural rubber smallholders. The idea would include the creation of three additional seats on the group's executive committee.
The group also will consider a resolution endorsing a policy framework for natural rubber production and sourcing for GPSNR member companies. This proposal builds on the platforms current set of 12 sustainable natural rubber principles.
GPSNR calls itself "an international, multi-stakeholder, voluntary membership initiative seeking to lead improvements in the socioeconomic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain."
GPSNR was established in 2018 by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Tire Industry Project (TIP) and is hosted by WBCSD Asia-Pacific in Singapore.
Those interested in viewing the meeting can register at www.eventbrite.com/e/gpsnr-general-assembly-2020-registration-117721477107.