SINGAPORE — The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), an independent platform designed to improve the socio-economic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain, is up and running.
Stakeholders in the natural rubber industry convened in Singapore this week for the GPSNR's inaugural general assembly, during which they approved the body's organizational statutes and code of conduct and formed an executive committee to oversee the body's strategic and operational activities.
Still on the agenda: finalizing the group's operational strategy, which will include the harmonization of standards to improve respect for human rights, prevent land-grabbing and deforestation, protect biodiversity and water resources, improve yields and increase supply chain transparency and traceability.
The GPSNR was developed by the CEOs of tire makers that comprise the Tire Industry Project (TIP) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. TIP announced the founding of the new organization in November 2017.
Representatives from nearly 40 stakeholder organizations — representing NR producers, processors and traders as well as auto and tire makers, civil organizations and affiliate members — attended the March 21 general assembly, the GPSNR said.
More than 50 stakeholders met in Singapore Feb. 5 for a workshop featuring founding members of the GPSNR, at which attendees agreed on a multi-stakeholder governance structure that included greater voting power for civil society members, the organization said.
As required by the statutes, the committee consists of representatives from each of the four membership categories: rubber producers, processors and traders; car makers, other downstream users of NR and financial institutions; tire makers and other natural rubber product makers/buyers; and civil society organizations.
Formation of the executive committee was a landmark achievement in the history of the GPSNR, Stefano Savi, the organization's director, said.
