THE Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) welcomes Papua New Guinea (PNG) as its 4th Member Country in a hybrid landmark ceremony held at the Secretariat of the Council yesterday in Jakarta, Indonesia. The handover of the accession instrument marks the completion of the formal application process submitted on 27 October 2020.
Representing the Government of PNG, Mr. Gregory Hombuahin, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of PNG in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Mr. Kepson Pupita, the General Secretary of the Oil Palm Industry Corporation of PNG presented the accession document to the Secretary General of CPOPC, affirming their commitment to sustainable palm oil practices and the collective advancement of the industry.
“Papua New Guinea is proud to join CPOPC, an organization that embodies our values of sustainability and community-centric growth. We are committed to working together with our fellow members to build a brighter future for the oil palm industry” said Mr. Gregory Hombuahin in the ceremony.
The Secretary General of CPOPC, Dr. Rizal Affandi Lukman, warmly welcomed PNG’s membership. “Today’s accession is a testament to the unifying vision of CPOPC. Papua New Guinea’s wealth of experience in palm oil cultivation and its commitment to fostering economic growth will further enhance our shared goals. Together, we can amplify our collective voice on the global stage, promoting equitable and sustainable development in the palm oil sector.”
Mr. Dida Gardera, Senior Advisor for Connectivity and Service Sector of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Republic of Indonesia, echoed these spirits, stating, “Papua New Guinea’s inclusion in CPOPC reinforces regional solidarity. As neighbours, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea share a long history of partnership, and this membership paves the way for deeper collaboration in sustainable practices and market resilience.”
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities of Malaysia, Dato’ Yusran Shah bin Mohd Yusof, represented by Puan Nurul Marha Mohamed, Deputy Secretary of the Division Palm and Sago Industry Development Division (BISS), highlighted the broader implications of this milestone. “The accession of Papua New Guinea to CPOPC is a testament to the country’s dedication to advancing the palm oil industry through sustainable practices and collaborative efforts. The ratification of the CPOPC Charter by the Parliament of Papua New Guinea and the subsequent issuance of the Instrument of Accession signify a strong commitment to our shared vision and objectives.”
Vice Minister for Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Honduras, Mr. Lid Roy Lazo Rodriguez, remarked, “CPOPC stands as a beacon of cooperation among palm oil-producing countries. The addition of Papua New Guinea enriches our dialogue and strategy for advancing the palm oil industry globally. Together, we can achieve more equitable trade practices and sustainable development.”
The General Secretary of the Oil Palm Industry Corporation of PNG, Mr. Kepson Pupita, added, “Our membership in CPOPC is a significant step in ensuring that Papua New Guinea’s palm oil industry adheres to the highest standards of sustainability while contributing to the livelihoods of our smallholders and people.”
As a CPOPC member country, PNG has the privilege to participate in the Ministerial Meeting and the Senior Officials Meeting of CPOPC to provide policy directions and guidance as well as to endorse and approve the strategies, programmes, and action plans to advance the oil palm industry. The membership will enhance opportunities for PNG to influence the developments of policies related to the oil palm industry in their country taking into consideration the membership of CPOPC is represented by the Minister responsible for oil palm industry. Following the addition of PNG as a member country and Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as observer countries, CPOPC now oversees 88.8% of the global palm oil production, demonstrating its pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future
The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) was founded in 21 November 2015 to advance the interests of nations that produce palm oil and to fortify collaboration in sustainable palm oil practices. CPOPC, which was founded by Indonesia and Malaysia and added Honduras as a member in 2023, seeks to address global opportunities and challenges in the oil palm industry.
Source: CPOPC.net
