InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) was held on November 29, 2024, in Jakarta, serving as a strategic forum to enhance collaboration among palm oil-producing nations. The meeting addressed global challenges such as trade protectionism and sustainability issues.
Attended by ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Honduras as full members, the forum also included observer nations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria. Other prospective members like Colombia, Ghana, and Papua New Guinea participated to further strengthen cooperation.
Led by Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, the meeting emphasized the need for strategic collaboration to sustain the palm oil industry while expanding its global market reach. "This collaboration is crucial to reinforcing palm oil’s role in global carbon emission reduction and advancing palm oil-based energy diversification, such as the B40 biodiesel program," Airlangga stated, as quoted by InfoSAWIT on Monday (December 2, 2024).
Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation and Commodities, YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, highlighted rising trade protectionism as a key challenge. "A joint strategy is essential to ensure fair market access for all palm oil-producing countries, especially for smallholders," he remarked.
The forum prioritized the development of palm oil-based green energy, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), considered vital for future energy needs. Indonesia and Malaysia were acknowledged as leaders of this initiative due to their sustainable production capabilities.
The Indonesian delegation, comprising representatives from various ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, and BPDPKS, raised issues including efforts to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 41% through the utilization of palm biomass. This aligns with global climate targets set by international forums.
Training programs for smallholders also emerged as a key agenda item, aimed at enabling them to meet international regulations like the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), effective by late 2026. These programs seek to enhance smallholders' capacity to produce sustainable palm oil.
CPOPC further emphasized diplomacy with major consumer nations such as India, China, and the European Union. A positive campaign to counter the negative perception of palm oil was highlighted as part of this strategy.
Concrete proposals included the utilization of palm oil waste, such as used cooking oil and Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), to support the green energy transition. These initiatives are expected to add value to palm oil products and expand the global biodiesel market.
The meeting concluded with the handover of CPOPC leadership from Indonesia to Malaysia for the 2024–2025 period. Member nations are optimistic about advancing a more inclusive and sustainable global palm oil industry while supporting the transition to green energy. (T1)
