"Connecting allows us to transform": UNDP-SECO Green Commodities Programme Hosts a Global Learning Event to Inspire Collective Action

"Not just representatives of individual countries but part of a global coalition"

October 31, 2024
a group of people posing for the camera

 

From October 28 to 31, 2024, UNDP and Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) funded Green Commodities Programme convened an impactful event under the title "Connect and Grow: Sharing Experiences, Inspiring Action" in Panama City. Project representatives from Malaysia, Ghana, Brazil, and Peru came together to engage in four days of dynamic sessions, discussions, and workshops designed to inspire action and strengthen collaboration under the Green Commodities Program Phase III.

Commencing in 2015, the UNDP-SECO Green Commodities Programme (GCP) has been pivotal in launching transformative changes in the sustainability of agricultural production in Indonesia and Peru, with a focus on societal, economic, and environmental impact. GCP Phase III builds on the success of this work, with a renewed partnership between UNDP and SECO that aims to further enhance sustainable agricultural commodity production in three additional countries: Malaysia, Ghana, and Brazil.

Building on the idea that collaboration and knowledge sharing between countries will enhance impact, this first GCP Global Learning Event focused on strengthening connections, sharing experiences, as well as providing technical tools to shape national action plans. 

The event started with a powerful storytelling exercise, allowing each country to reflect on their journeys and achievements since joining GCP. 

The agenda for the following days was equally rich and focused on practical knowledge sharing. On Day Two, attendees explored the importance of power dynamics and the role of facilitators in multi-stakeholder initiatives. This session emphasised the crucial skills required to build effective partnerships, as each country presented its own power mapping exercise​.

“Everyone cares about what is happening. They just need space for collaboration to happen” – said Ka Han Lee, UNDP representative from Malaysia referring to the climate and social impact of unsustainable production practices of Palm Oil.

“Connecting, is what matters to people” – said Peru’s project lead, Lady Cotrina. – “Facilitating dialogues allows us to enter into already-existing platforms, to enhance change without breaking existing structures.”

By Day Three, the countries were fully engaged in the “Country Learning Reviews,” sessions specifically dedicated to evaluating and transferring individual and shared progress. Teams outlined their achievements, discussed challenges, and identified strategic objectives for 2025. This session underscored the collaborative spirit of the event, as countries worked together to refine their approaches and adapt lessons learned from one another to their national contexts.

“Listening the experiences and challenges faced by other countries was truly useful for us, as it will help us plan how to work on Brazil” – Saulo Nogueira, UNDP Brazil. 

a group of people posing for the camera

 

As the week came to an end, the participants collectively emphasised the importance of sustained connection and knowledge sharing. The event concluded with renewed commitments to the Green Commodities Program's goals, with each country equipped with innovative tools and strategies to push forward in 2025.

This event marks a significant milestone for the UNDP-SECO Green Commodities Programme, with participants leaving not just as representatives of individual countries but as part of a global coalition. By connecting and growing together, they have set a solid foundation for the next phase, fostering a culture of shared learning and collaborative action that will drive sustainable, equitable commodity practices worldwide.

“Cocoa is more than a crop, it is our heritage, and livelihood for our communities” said Mathias Edetor, UNDP representative from Ghana. “So, we have to continue producing it sustainably, today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.”