Demand for palm oil is expected to remain strong in 2022, especially in the food sector following the reopening of the economic sector and international border gates, said Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.
He said palm oil-producing countries had the controls to push for a better narrative about palm oil globally.
Zuraida stressed that now is the right time for palm oil-producing countries in collaboration with allies in palm oil importing countries to spread the benefits of palm oil.
Coordinated efforts in conveying a strong message, especially to the European Union and the United States are necessary to recognize the sustainability agenda of member countries and what is most important is to & nbsp; stop all baseless allegations against palm oil products and industry, “he said during the 10th Meeting Ministerial Level of the National Council of Palm Oil Producers (CPOC) in Bali, Indonesia, yesterday.
Zuraida, who co-chaired the meeting, said CPOPC would be given a & nbsp; key role in addressing the matter & nbsp; and would take proactive steps in promoting the sustainability agenda and highlighting all Malaysian and Indonesian efforts in the matter.
The ministerial-level meeting was conducted in a hybrid format and representatives of observer countries including Colombian deputy minister of agricultural affairs H.E Juan Gonzalo Botero Botero and Honduran agriculture and livestock minister H.E Laura Suazo each delivered speeches.
Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs H.E Airlangga Hartarto who is also the chairman of CPOPC, stressed the strategic role that palm oil can play as part of the solution to the current global food and energy crisis.
“In this regard, it is important for palm oil producing countries to capitalize on the momentum of growing global demand for palm oil and the competitiveness of sustainably produced palm oil in the global vegetable oil market,” he said.
Thus, Hartarto emphasized the importance of promoting worldwide recognition of the sustainability of palm oil including, among others, through continued engagement with consumers and other relevant stakeholders, capacity building and investment for small-scale farmers to ensure sustainable palm oil production.
Meanwhile, Indonesia and Malaysia reiterated their commitment to ensure CPOPC continues its advocacy for sustainable palm oil and benefits from Indonesia as the G20 presidency to further promote CPOPC’s mission, & nbsp; develop and strengthen cooperation among palm oil producing countries and stakeholders related as well as & nbsp; ensuring the long -term benefits of palm oil for the well -being of the world community.
The ministers also expected the observer countries, namely Colombia, Ghana, Honduras and Papua New Guinea to expedite the ratification process to become full members ahead of the next Ministerial Meeting.
In other developments, Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to consider increasing their respective biofuel mandates to B35 for Indonesia and B20 for & nbsp; Malaysia aimed at increasing domestic consumption.
The ministers at the meeting welcomed Malaysia as the & nbsp; host of the 11th Ministerial Meeting by March 2023.
They also welcomed the newly appointed CPOPC Secretariat officer, Dr Rizal Affandi Lukman as executive director, Datuk Nageeb Wahab as deputy executive director, Dr Puah Chiew Wei as strategy and policy director and Dr Witjaksana Darmosarkoro as director of sustainability and smallholders.
The term of their appointment is for the period 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2025.
The ministers also expressed their appreciation to former CPOPC Executive Director Tan Sri Datuk Dr Yusof Basiron and former CPOPC Deputy Executive Director Dupito D. Simamora for their services from 1 June 2019 to 31 May 2022.
