Indonesia strengthens palm oil diplomacy through CPOPC meeting, focuses on global challenges

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - Indonesia again showed its role as one of the main engines of the world's palm oil industry by hosting the 31st Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) in Jakarta.

The hybrid forum brought together palm oil producing countries to coordinate their steps in facing various global challenges, ranging from climate change, international trade regulations, to fluctuations in vegetable oil prices.

Delegations from Indonesia, Malaysia, Honduras, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Papua New Guinea attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Ghana, Colombia, and Nigeria followed as observer countries along with the CPOPC Secretariat and a number of related ministries and agencies.

Indonesia uses this forum to strengthen cooperation among producer countries in order to maintain the sustainability of the palm oil industry while increasing the competitiveness of the commodity in the international market.

One issue that has received attention is the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), in addition to discussing supply chain traceability, strengthening research, public communication, and empowering palm oil farmers.

Indonesia also encourages the creation of a more fair, transparent, evidence-based governance of the palm oil trade, and free from discriminatory practices against producer countries.

On this occasion, BPDP emphasized its support for the development of the national palm oil industry through various strategic programs, such as the People's Palm Oil Revitalization (PSR), human resource development, research, innovation, promotion, and biodiesel development.

The government hopes that the results of the 31st SOM CPOPC meeting will be able to produce strategic recommendations that strengthen coordination among member countries so that the palm oil industry remains competitive and provides economic, social, and environmental benefits.