General Assembly 23-2E

Background

RSPO members have collectively invested substantial resources in the development and implementation of prisma. While recognising the best efforts of the Secretariat in launching and managing prisma, the reported costs of developing and implementing prisma however has substantially exceeded original allocated budgets and implementation timelines.

There are concerns that due to these unexpected financial, organisational resource and timeline overruns, some RSPO's core functions and strategic priorities like the IMO programme and support for smallholders have been negatively impacted. As well, there are member concerns that prisma presently remains a platform for credit transactions. It fails to build support or encourage long-term relationship connectivity between certified smallholders and buyers. There are also concerns regarding rising costs, operational challenges, functionality, user experience, implementation delays, member benefits and the overall effectiveness of the prisma platform.

Members have a legitimate interest in understanding whether these investments in prisma and associated processes, have delivered their intended value. However, members presently lack substantive information about whether project governance has been effective, whether prisma meets its planned objectives, and whether the allocation of financial and organisational resources has appropriately balanced strategic digital transformation priorities with the continued delivery of RSPO's core mission to its members. Members are also concerned about the lack of communications about prisma developments.

Furthermore, there are concerns that the trade policies of a leading palm oil producing country may have a consequential impact upon the future viability of prisma and thus the RSPO.

An independent review of prisma therefore will therefore contribute learnings to ensure that future strategic digital initiatives assist the Secretariat and the Board of Governors to plan and manage any unexpected financial and organisational challenges, and government policies that may ultimately impact the RSPO’s core mission. A review would also assist the Secretariat to stay within a resource threshold determined by the Board and the needs of the RSPO Membership. Also, in cases when such thresholds are exceeded, this review will ensure that these initiatives be subject to enhanced and transparent reporting to membership, including regular progress updates on expenditure, project milestones, risks and anticipated benefits.