CPOPC and EPOA working together on sustainable palm oil 

Earlier this month, the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and EPOA jointly agreed to reinforce knowledge, awareness and communication, promoting the move to sustainably produced palm oil. 

CPOPC is an intergovernmental organization for palm oil-producing countries, uniting the world’s palm oil producers on common priorities, interests, and aspirations. Sustainability is one of the key priorities. Indonesia and Malaysia are the founding countries of CPOPC.

Recently, CPOPC established a Global Framework of Principles for Sustainable Palm Oil, a pilot for global sustainability reference for all vegetable oils. The adoption is followed by disseminating the Framework to regional and international institutions, including the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in 2022. As a reference for palm oil producing countries to manage sustainability in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Framework will be introduced to stakeholders from other vegetable oils and relevant international partners to ensure its acceptability.

CPOPC initiated the Smallholder Outreach Program (SOP) in 2020 to serve as a platform for smallholders in several palm oil producing countries in Asia Pacific, Latin and Central America, and Africa regions to join and establish a global communication network in achieving SDGs by 2030. This year, the second SOP focused on sharing know-how on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), channelling smallholders' voice, and facilitating the necessary R & D and training.

The announced extension of CPOPC to include Colombia, Ghana, Honduras, and Papua New Guinea as incoming member countries will help give the producing countries and especially the smallholders a solid and aligned voice in Europe in the palm oil network of EPOA. More producing countries are expected to join the organization in the future.