TRIBUNNEWS.COM, PHILIPPINES – President Joko Widodo raised the issue of oil palm in the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN-European Union Partnership Cooperation Summit held on Tuesday (14/11/2017) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila, Philippines.
According to President Jokowi, the issue of oil palm is closely related to the efforts in alleviating poverty, narrowing the development gap, and inclusive economic development.
Moreover, there are currently 17 million Indonesians whose lives, directly or indirectly, are related to oil palm, where 42 percent of oil palm plantations are owned by smallholders.
Therefore, in his speech, President Jokowi asked for the discrimination against oil palm in the EU to immediately end.
A number of attitudes and policies, which are deemed detrimental to economic interests and damaging to the image of palm oil producing countries, should also be eliminated.
“The Parliament Resolution by the EU and a number of European countries on oil palm and deforestation, as well as the black campaign are not only harming economic interests, but also damaging the image of oil palm producing countries,” said President Jokowi.
The President further said that Indonesia understands the importance of “sustainability” issues.
Therefore, various policies related to sustainability have been taken, including the implementation of Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification.
President Jokowi’s statement also has the full support of the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Source : Tribun News