Annual Meeting of the SustainPalm Project: Strengthening Collaborative Pathways Toward Sustainable Palm Oil

Bogor, September 2, 2025 – IPB University hosted the Annual Meeting of the SustainPalm Project at the IPB International Convention Center, Bogor. The event marked the culmination and closing of the three-year SustainPalm program, attended by more than 200 participants, including academics, government officials, industry representatives, NGOs, and farmer communities.

SustainPalm is a collaborative initiative between IPB University, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Van Hall Larenstein (VHL), and Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of Indonesia.

The event was opened by Prof. Jan Verhagen, SustainPalm Program Manager, who highlighted the project’s three main focus areas: increasing productivity through crop–livestock integration, implementing a circular economy by utilizing palm oil waste, and protecting biodiversity while managing peatlands. “We address sustainability issues in palm oil comprehensively. Challenges such as land efficiency, waste utilization, and peatland management must be overcome to achieve true sustainability,” said Prof. Jan.

In his remarks, Prof. Arif Satria, Rector of IPB University, emphasized that sustainable palm oil is not just a concept, but a reality that can be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration. “The SustainPalm Project demonstrates that palm oil can support livelihoods while safeguarding the planet for future generations. One of the key elements is promoting a circular economy — turning waste into wealth. Even though this project concludes, the spirit of collaboration and sustainability values must continue to thrive, forming a foundation for policy and inspiring innovation across sectors,” Prof. Arif asserted.

Prof. Arif also highlighted the importance of developing palm oil cultivation that is inclusive, efficient, and environmentally friendly, integrating productivity, circular economy practices, and the protection of biodiversity alongside peatland management.

The event featured a keynote speech by Mr. Dida Gardera, Expert Staff at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, who underlined Indonesia’s strategic position as the world’s largest palm oil exporter and the importance of scientific data in supporting sustainable palm oil practices.

The program also included three panel discussion sessions covering strategic topics: enhancing palm oil productivity through crop–livestock integration, applying circular economy practices through palm oil waste utilization, and managing landscapes rich in carbon and biodiversity.

As a closing highlight, the Oil Palm Sugar Nexus was launched through the signing of a consortium for sustainable palm sugar development. This cross-institutional initiative is expected to elevate Indonesia’s palm sugar potential to the global stage.

With a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, SustainPalm emphasizes that the achievements of this collaboration do not end with the project. The outcomes and networks created serve as a stepping stone for advancing Indonesia’s palm oil sector toward a more inclusive, environmentally friendly, and internationally competitive future.