Minister Teresa Kok: supporting rural smallholders is our utmost priority
“Europe is passionate about the rainforest. But passion alone does not achieve anything. Decisive action will", stated the Malaysian minister Teresa Kok of Primary Industries at the European Palm Oil Conference (EPOC) in Madrid in October 2018.
She assured the audience that the new Malaysian government is determined to work, as she put it, “towards a new, more action oriented and sustainable era".
She pointed out that the concept of sustainability, as enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), encompasses more than mere environmental protection.
Talks between the new Malaysian government and the EU are underway, and more coordinated programs should be in place soon. Achieving a fully sustainable palm oil supply chain is a journey. Malaysia called upon Europe to support the joint efforts.