InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Efforts to achieve sustainability in the palm oil industry continue to attract the attention of various stakeholders, including the government, international organizations, and the private sector. One strategy currently under the spotlight is the jurisdictional approach to governance in this industry.
During a webinar titled "Key Learnings from Implementing the Jurisdictional Approach for Sustainable Palm Oil," organized by the Sustainable Landscape Program Indonesia (SLPI) with support from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and facilitated by UNDP Indonesia, various perspectives on this strategy were discussed in depth.
Moch Edy Yusuf, Assistant Deputy for State-Owned Enterprises Development in the Manufacturing, Agro, Pharmaceutical, and Health Industries at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, highlighted the importance of policy integration between the central and regional governments in his keynote speech. “The jurisdictional approach in the palm oil industry is not just about meeting sustainability standards, but also about building an inclusive, fair governance system that can enhance the welfare of local communities,” he stated, as reported by InfoSAWIT from kalanganjambi on Sunday (March 30, 2025).
From the perspective of international organizations, Dr. Aretha Aprilia, Head of the Nature, Climate & Energy Unit at UNDP Indonesia, emphasized that UNDP continues to support sustainability initiatives in the palm oil sector. “Through collaboration with various partners, we hope the jurisdictional approach can become an effective model for ensuring environmental and social sustainability in the palm oil supply chain,” she explained.
In the discussion, Anang Noegroho, Senior Food and Agriculture Planner from the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, stressed the need for synergy between the government, private sector, and communities in achieving sustainability targets. He noted that jurisdiction-based policies could be a strategic solution in balancing economic growth and environmental conservation.
Meanwhile, M. Windrawan Inantha, Deputy Director of Market Transformation (Indonesia) from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), outlined how certification standards can support the jurisdictional approach. He emphasized that compliance with sustainability principles will enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian palm oil products in the global market.
From a regional perspective, Budi Purwanto, Head of the Seruyan District Development Planning Agency, shared the local government's experience in adopting the jurisdictional approach. He emphasized that active involvement of local stakeholders is crucial for the success of this program. “We have seen how cross-sector collaboration can produce concrete solutions in land management and more sustainable palm oil production,” he stated.
The jurisdictional approach is believed to be an effective strategy for harmonizing economic, social, and environmental interests in the palm oil industry. With synergy between the government, private sector, and communities, this approach has the potential to strengthen sustainable governance in the palm oil industry and enhance Indonesia's competitiveness in the global market. (T2)
