PRESS RELEASE 12^th MINISTERIAL MEETING OF CPOPC 29 NOVEMBER 2024

• Created Date: 29 November 2024

PRESS RELEASE
12th MINISTERIAL MEETING OF CPOPC
29 NOVEMBER 2024

1. The 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (12th MM) was held on 29 November 2024, in Jakarta, Indonesia, and chaired by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia, H.E. Airlangga Hartarto. The Minister of Plantation and Commodities of Malaysia (KPK), YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, attended physically. At the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Honduras, H.E. Madam Laura Suazo, was represented by the Vice Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Lid Roy Lazo Rodríguez, who attended the meeting virtually.

2. The meeting was attended by Minister Delegate for International Cooperation and Francophonie of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Her Excellency Mrs. Bestine Kazadi Ditabala. She underscored DRC potential to develop palm oil cultivation and her country’s interest to become a member of CPOPC. She believed that cooperation with CPOPC and shared solidarity among palm oil producing country will help DRC to develop the palm oil industry and deliver prosperity to the community. General Secretary of Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) of Papua New Guinea, Mr. Kepson K. Pupita highlighted their unwavering commitment of the PNG government to join CPOPC and informed the meeting that PNG membership will soon be finalized.

3. In his opening remarks, Chair of CPOPC and Coordinating Minister of CMEA, H.E. Airlangga Hartarto highlighted that Indonesia is committed to strengthening its partnership with CPOPC to achieve President Prabowo Subianto’s administration's priorities, particularly food and energy security and industrial downstream. For strengthening collaborative efforts in advancing the palm oil sector, Indonesia encourages the current CPOPC Observer countries, Colombia, Ghana, and Papua New Guinea to accelerate its accession process towards full membership.

4. Minister of Plantation and Commodities of Malaysia, YB Datuk Seri Johari Bin Abdul Ghani highlighted the persistent regulatory challenges faced by the industry due to protectionist measures, potentially leading to trade barriers. He emphasized the need for CPOPC to actively develop strategic plans to tackle these challenges constructively, ensuring inclusivity of smallholders, fair treatment, market access, and promotion of sustainable practices within the sector.

5. In his recorded speech, Vice Minister for Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Honduras, Honorable Mr. Lid Roy Lazo Rodriguez, expressed his concern on the raising global challenges faced by the oil palm industry. He reiterated that producing countries should remain united as a producing bloc to address the scrutiny over sustainability of the crop, protectionist trade barriers, and increasing pressure from markets in demanding stricter certification.

6. The 12th MM extended a warm welcome to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, which have been granted the CPOPC’s Observer status. This has increased CPOPC’s influence and presence at the global level as a platform for solidarity and stronger alliances among palm oil-producing countries, working together to ensure the continued growth and prosperity of the oil palm industry.

7. The meeting underscored the urgent need for CPOPC to enhance its flagship programs, mainly related to smallholders, sustainability, and positive campaigns. By doing so, CPOPC can improve its key role in the global palm oil sector, contributing to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development while addressing the existing global challenges, including trade-restrictive measures imposed by importing countries.

8. The 12th MM discussed about the recent developments in key importing countries and markets with growing stringent requirements for the production and trading of palm oil and its products. These are the Forced Labor Regulation and Due Diligence on Human Rights and Environment in the EU, the Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act in the US, and the Forest Risk Commodities (FRC) Law in the UK, among others. In that connection, the Ministers agreed that sustainability efforts should be a joint responsibility of producing and consuming countries. They mandated the Secretariat to produce policy recommendations for the member countries to address the challenges.

9. Notwithstanding these challenges, The 12th MM noted the opportunities for the oil palm industry due to the increasing transition towards green energy and decarbonization globally. In this context, Indonesia and Malaysia are wellpositioned to drive and support the growth of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in particular. MM CPOPC mandated the CPOPC Secretariat to produce scientific data that can substantiate the efforts of both countries to promote the recognition of palm oil-based SAF.

10.The meeting reaffirmed the organization's dedication to advocating a sciencebased understanding of palm oil. A key priority is conducting comprehensive studies to produce strong evidence of palm oil’s positive role in driving economic growth, ensuring food security, and achieving sustainable development goals. By publishing reliable data that is internationally credible, members believe that CPOPC can address and counter misinformation, misconceptions, and unsubstantiated claims surrounding the industry.

11.The 12th MM has expressed its continued support of CPOPC in facilitating the Ad Hoc Joint Task Force (JTF), which contributed to the postponement of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Therefore, it is essential to continue fostering dialogue through the JTF; this will allow for a revised focus on critical issues such as traceability, forest definitions, data protection, country benchmarking, and meaningful engagement with the competent authorities in the European Union, ensuring a cooperative and comprehensive approach as we advance.

12.Ministers commended the active engagement of CPOPC at the global, regional, and sub-regional levels with multilateral organizations. The meeting applauded CPOPC participation in high-level discussions such as the ECOSOC HLPF, regional forums with UNESCAP, and sub-regional engagements with ASEAN. Ministers noted the urgency to increase CPOPC’s global visibility and the importance of sustainable palm oil in the international setting.

13.The critical role of CPOPC was emphasized in ensuring the well-being and inclusivity of oil palm smallholders through various programs that drive sustainable practices across the oil palm industry. These initiatives focus on empowering smallholders by supporting access to essential resources, training, and capacity-building opportunities and strengthening their collective voice on the global stage.