Commitments to sustainable Palm Oil for the benefit of the People & Planet

On behalf of EPOA, Frans Claassen (chair) presented the goals of the European Palm Oil Alliance and the facts and myths about palm oil at a conference hosted by the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, Italy, 15 May 2018.

The conference gathered around 200 stakeholders from different countries and disciplines, including Members of the Diplomatic corps, Prelates of the Holy See, policy makers, think thanks, academia, and non-governmental organizations. It was opened by His Eminence Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson (Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development).

The conference was characterized by a thoughtful and forward-looking exchange of views in an open and transparent dialogue on the contribution of palm oil to eradicating poverty and to achieving the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

There were several interesting presentations on the position of smallholders and the economic importance of palm oil for the socio-economic development in rural areas to eradicate poverty.

Read more about the program and the presentation of Frans Claassen on the EPOA website. Watch a video about the Indonesian Palm Oil Smallholder Program below.