PR98621

BALI, Indonesia, Nov. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The G20 Sustainable Vegetable Oils Conference (SVOC), which took place today (3

November 2022) in Bali, was a resounding success, with the participation of the

most important stakeholders in the vegetable oil sector. The conference

organized by the Indonesian government and co-organized by the

Indonesia Oil Palm Plantations Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), Council of Palm

Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA). It

was attended by the representatives of the main producer countries: China,

India, Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia and Malaysia. This shows that in this period

marked by international conflict and geopolitical tension, the community of

vegetable oils producers stand united and not divided, in a shared common

interest to ensure and food and energy security and to allow the economy to

grow given the rapid growth of population and the climate crisis.

The Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto

reiterated the importance of ensuring the availability, accessibility and

affordability of agricultural commodities in the global market, including

vegetable oils. "We need to move quickly and decisively to working together in

confronting structural market issues that may exacerbate adverse impacts", said

Airlangga.

Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, People's Republic of China, Ma

Youxiang emphasized that China is transitioning to green development and

tackling climate change through collaboration with other countries towards

sustainability in the vegetable oil sector. Union Minister of State for

Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare of India, Shobha Karandlaje, called on the

importance of new climate resilient oilseeds that would be beneficial for both

poor and developed countries in the future. Both calls were delivered in the

hybrid conference attended by over 500 participants from 41 producing and

consuming countries.

Other speakers from WTO, UN FAO, World Food Program and certification bodies

also shared their insights. Some of the take aways included that although the

production and distribution of some oils has been disrupted, others have

stepped in to guarantee food and energy security. Many vegetable oils supply

chains, like palm oil and soya bean, have managed to invest in innovation and

sustainability, reduce the impact of farming and production systems on

biodiversity and ecosystem. The conference also provided a platform to

deliberate the latest developments on sustainable certification schemes for

palm oil as well as the latest technology to ensure traceability of palm oil

supply chain.

The Secretary General of CPOPC Rizal Affandi Lukman asserted sustainable palm

oil is the most affordable and efficient vegetable oil as well as a healthy and

nutritious oil. It provides an answer to the global shortage-led-to-crisis of

vegetable oils and the current energy crisis in Europe especially on the use of

sustainable palm oil biofuel as a source of energy that is badly in need for

this winter season. Chairman of IPOA, Joko Supriyono, encouraged all vegetable

oil producers to meet the world's food and energy needs with sustainable

production and play a role in achieving the SDGs.

Source: Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC)