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)