27 Sept 2026
Forum at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, spotlights deforestation-free supply chains, smallholder inclusion and green finance for the rubber sector
27 September 2026 – The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) took part in CSCAP 2026: Accelerating Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) for Climate Justice and Value Chain Resilience in Asia-Pacific, held on 23–24 September 2026 at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand. At the invitation of the organisers, ANRPC was represented by its Secretary-General, Dr. Suttipong Angthong.
Organised by AFMA, FeedUP@UN, Sustainism and the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), the two-day regional forum brought together policymakers, industry leaders, smallholder cooperatives, civil society organisations, climate scientists and development practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific. Discussions were fastened in three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) – with a focus on bridging high-level policy frameworks and on-the-ground implementation in key commodity sectors, including natural rubber, coconut and sugarcane.
Natural rubber featured prominently on the agenda. The opening day’s High-Level Panel Session I, “Sustainable Rubber and Derivatives: Traceability & Deforestation-Free Supply Chains”, examined how producing countries can navigate international environmental mandates such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), cross-border compliance and national biodiversity frameworks “from farm to tire”. Further sessions addressed accessible monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) tools for smallholders, sustainability-linked finance, and a rights-based approach to climate justice across supply chains.
Dr. Suttipong Angthong shared ANRPC’s perspective on the realities facing natural rubber producing countries, where smallholders account for the vast majority of global output. He underscored that sustainability requirements must be matched by practical support, fair pricing and affordable traceability solutions, so that smallholders are not excluded from sustainable markets but instead benefit from the transition.
“Natural rubber is the livelihood of millions of smallholder families across our member countries. The shift towards deforestation-free, low-carbon supply chains is an opportunity for our sector – but only if it is inclusive. CSCAP 2026 provided a valuable platform for producers, buyers, regulators and financiers to work together on solutions that are credible, affordable and fair to farmers. ANRPC will continue to serve as the voice of producing countries in shaping these solutions,” said Dr. Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of ANRPC.
