Skip to main content
Home

GEF Logo

GEF Logo

Search
  • Who We Are

    Organization

    • Overview
    • CEO and Chairperson
    • Focal Points
    • Secretariat Staff

    GEF Council

    • Members & Alternates
    • Work Programs
    • Meetings
    • Decisions

    Funding

    • Overview
    • GEF-9
    • GEF-8
    • GEF-7
    • Replenishment Documents
    • Overview
    • CEO and Chairperson
    • Focal Points
    • Secretariat Staff
  • What We Do

    Topics

    Topics

    • Amazon
    • Biodiversity
    • Blended Finance
    • Chemicals and Waste
    • Food Security
    • Forests
    • Global Biodiversity Framework Fund
    • Illegal Wildlife Trade
    • Integrated Programs
    • International Waters
    • Land Degradation
    • LDCF
    • Mercury
    • SCCF
    • Sustainable Cities
    • Transparency
    • View All Topics >>

    Stakeholder Engagement

    Stakeholder Engagement

    • Civil Society Organizations
    • Country Engagement Strategy
    • Fonseca Leadership Program
    • GEF Voices
    • Indigenous Peoples
    • Knowledge & Learning
    • Private Sector
    • Youth
  • Projects & Operations

    Projects

    Projects

    • Project Database
    • Templates
    • How Projects Work

    Countries

    Countries

    • Recipient Countries
    • Donor Countries
    • Participant Countries
    • Country Support Program

    Operations

    Operations

    • Conflict Resolution Commissioner
    • GEF Geospatial Platform
    • Knowledge & Learning
    • Policies and Guidelines
    • Results
  • Partners

    Partners

    • Countries
    • GEF Agencies
    • Conventions
    • Civil Society Organizations
    • Private Sector
    • Countries
    • GEF Agencies
    • Conventions
    • Civil Society Organizations
    • Private Sector
  • Newsroom

    Newsroom Menu Column 1

    • All
    • News
    • Feature Stories
    • Press Releases
    • Multimedia
    • Publications
    • Blog

    Newsroom Menu Column 2

    • GEF Logo
    • Partner News
    • Newsletter
    • Media Contacts
    • All
    • News
    • Feature Stories
    • Press Releases
    • Multimedia
    • Publications
    • Blog
  • Events
  • Search

Major players join forces to place sustainability at the heart of global commodity supply chains

Press Release
September 6, 2017

In an effort to enable sustainable agriculture and reduce deforestation, some of the world’s largest conservation, development and finance organizations, as well as government representatives from major producer countries, gathered at the United Nations in New York today to launch the Good Growth Partnership.                                                                                          

Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Good Growth Partnership will work with the governments of Brazil, Indonesia, Liberia and Paraguay, as well as the private sector and civil society organisations to enable lasting, transformative change throughout three key global commodity supply chains: soy, beef and palm oil. Led by the UNDP’s Green Commodities Programme, the partnership will be implemented in collaboration with Conservation International, the International Finance Corporation, UN Environment and World Wildlife Fund.

“From my vantage point this initiative, the Good Growth Partnership, is long overdue. Agriculture in the 21st century is fundamental and foundational to our very existence but ironically it has become one of the biggest challenges we face in our pursuit toward sustainability and an inclusive green economy,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner during his opening address at the launch.  

“I want to thank our partners who have helped to make this partnership come alive, to thank all of you who have come together today to make this partnership possible and indeed a touchstone for many who are looking to change the markets of the future,” added Mr. Steiner.  

Coordinating and building on the partners’ expertise in the areas of sustainable finance, demand and production of agricultural commodities, the Good Growth Partnership will support governments to fortify their assistance to small-scale farmers and strengthen land use policies by convening industry stakeholders for national action. It will also focus on raising awareness to influence the global demand of sustainably produced agricultural commodities and supply chain transparency in addition to engaging the finance sector with new opportunities for investment.

“As demand for agricultural commodities grows, we need to develop forward-thinking business models to manage sustainable commodity production that also maintains forests and important ecosystem services,” said Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility at the UN launch. 

“With its alliances and growing links to the private sector, the Good Growth Partnership is poised to help change commodity production pathways by placing long-term sustainability at the heart of the supply chain,” she further added.

OTHER QUOTES

Erik Solheim, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme—

“This collaborative work, encompassing demand, supply and finance of commodities is a critical step towards safeguarding sustainable economies where people and nature can prosper together. The involvement of members of UN Environment’s Finance Initiative ensures that the finance industry is fully engaged in delivering this transformative change.”

Jennifer Morris, President, Conservation International —

“CI works towards sustainable development that protects our planet and supports farmers.  Agriculture is the largest single driver of deforestation, yet forests are critical in combating climate change – 30% of emissions reductions could come from the protection and restoration of forests while supporting growth in sustainable agriculture. Partnering with leaders across the environmental, conservation and business sectors is critical in meeting this pressing global challenge.”

Jason Clay, Senior Vice President of Markets and Food, WWF—

“We can meet growing demand for food while preserving forests and other critical habitats as well as the invaluable social, environmental, and economic services they provide. Through the Good Growth Partnership, the market has an opportunity to do so for this and future generations.”

More information

Major Players Get Ready to Put Sustainability at the Heart of Global Commodity Supply Chains

Contact

Good Growth Partnership Communications Advisor Rebecca.lake@undp.org

In New York: Sangita Khadka, Communications Specialist, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, sangita.khadka@undp.org, Tel: +1 212 906 5043

Media Contact

Alexandre Pinheiro Rego
Senior Communications Officer
arego@thegef.org

Topics

Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Uses
Commodities

Countries

Brazil
Indonesia
Liberia
Paraguay

Related News

Cover image for publication "Advancing the Integrated Approach to Tackle Commodity-driven Deforestation"
Publication

Advancing the Integrated Approach to Tackle Commodity-driven Deforestation

Cattle standing in deforested area, Brazil
Feature Story

Forest-friendly farming and supply chains gain momentum

December 7, 2022
Press Release

New GEF-funded project to protect forests, boost agriculture, and support livelihoods in Liberia

March 15, 2022

GEF Updates

Subscribe to our distribution list to receive the GEF Newsletter.

Sign up

GEF Logo

Follow Us

GEF Affiliated Sites

  • GEF Portal
  • Independent Evaluation Office
  • Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel
  • Small Grants Programme

Who We Are

  • GEF Secretariat Staff
  • Conflict Resolution Commissioner
  • Council Members & Alternates
  • Focal Points
  • Careers
  • Legal
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Global Environment Facility, All Rights Reserved.  |   Legal