Joint Framework for Action. Côte d’Ivoire.

This Framework defines core commitments, verifiable actions, timebound targets and other prerequisites required for a deforestation-free cocoa supply chain in Ivory Coast. It was developed through a multi-stakeholder process that brought together government, private sector, including farmer and farmers’ organizations, national and international civil society organizations, development partners, and other stakeholders in Ivory Coast and at the global level.
The Framework is structured around the following three themes: 1. Forest protection and restoration: this covers the conservation of National Parks and Reserves, improving the forest cover in the rural domain, as well as restoration of classified forests that have been degraded by human activities, in particular encroachment by cocoa farms among other factors; 2. Sustainable production and farmers’ livelihoods: this covers sustainable intensification and diversification of production in order to increase farmers’ yields and income and to reduce pressure on forests; and 3. Community engagement and social inclusion: this covers social safeguards through civil society and community engagement.
By signing the Framework, Government and signatory companies have agreed to eight core commitments: 1. Prohibit and prevent activities in the cocoa sector that cause further deforestation or forest degradation; 2. Respect the rights of cocoa farmers; 3. Promote the effective restoration and long-term conservation of National Parks and Reserves, and Classified Forests; 4. Strengthen traceability at the farm-level; 5. Implement verifiable actions and timebound targets; 6. Implement agreed actions with full alignment with the national REDD+ strategy and other relevant national strategies and plans; 7. Work together to implement the Framework actions, and mobilize the necessary financing, resources and technical support for implementation; and 8. Provide effective monitoring and reporting on progress on commitments and actions to ensure transparency and accountability. Signatories also take detailed commitments to protect Ivory Coast forests and to restore forests that have been previously degraded.
Such commitments will be supported by a number of actions, listed by the text and aimed at the sustainable production and farmers’ livelihoods and at the community engagement and social inclusion.
Measurement and monitoring of progress will be ensured by a transparent and credible process which will be jointly developed no later than 30 September 2018.