PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — In a strategic room within Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a meaningful dialogue unfolded as PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara (Persero), a state-owned enterprise engaged in the palm oil sector, met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Arif Havas Oegroseno. More than a formal courtesy, the visit served as a critical bridge between national agribusiness practices and Indonesia’s economic diplomacy—particularly amidst global scrutiny of palm oil.
Arif Havas Oegroseno, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in European diplomacy, warmly received the Agrinas delegation. As Indonesia’s former Ambassador to the European Union and Germany, Havas has long defended palm oil as a strategic commodity on the international stage. Now, as Vice Minister, he continues this mission with clarity and conviction.
“When it comes to palm oil, especially for export purposes, the legal clarity of land ownership is essential,” Havas emphasized, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com via Agrinas on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
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Speaking with the delegation led by Agrinas’ Head of Communications and Institutional Affairs, Renaldi Zein, Havas shared his extensive experience navigating EU regulatory challenges—particularly the recently enforced EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which mandates proof that agricultural products, including palm oil, do not originate from deforested or degraded land.
Indonesia, Havas noted, already has a strong foundation. He pointed to the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK), internationally recognized for its traceability and legal assurance. “Our timber products can clearly demonstrate a legal connection between the land, the trees, and the production process,” he said. “Palm oil must do the same, particularly through the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standard.”
For Havas, traceability is no longer just a technical requirement—it’s a form of modern diplomacy: data-driven, law-abiding diplomacy. “In Europe, narrative and compliance go hand in hand,” he added.
PT Agrinas did not come empty-handed. The company presented its sustainability initiatives, including farmer training, biodiversity conservation, and implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
“As a state-owned enterprise, we are committed to strong corporate governance,” said Renaldi Zein, underlining Agrinas’ alignment with both RSPO and ISPO standards—not only to meet export requirements but as part of its ethical business foundation. He also emphasized supply chain transparency and labor rights protections—two critical points for European stakeholders.
Havas responded positively. He underscored that successful palm oil diplomacy is shaped not only by intergovernmental negotiations but by compelling narratives and verified actions on the ground. He cited how the SVLK gained global acceptance through a consistent, transparent system.
His advocacy for palm oil, however, is not new. As Ambassador to Belgium and the EU, Havas stood at the center of diplomatic pressure over EU renewable energy policies that were often seen as discriminatory toward palm oil. In the face of strong European public opinion, he persistently promoted ISPO recognition and championed palm oil as a legitimate development tool for emerging economies.
“Palm oil is more than a commodity—it’s a means of poverty alleviation, improving farmer livelihoods, and driving rural development,” he asserted in numerous forums in Brussels.
As a former Deputy at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Havas also helped align cross-sector policies and encouraged a science-based approach to environmental issues—rather than one driven by politics.
“When we talk about sustainability, we must speak with facts and evidence,” he stated, often reminding audiences of WTO principles that uphold the rights of developing countries under non-discrimination clauses.
Back in Jakarta, Havas also touched on a less-discussed yet critical aspect of the palm oil narrative: labor. He stressed the importance of fair treatment, legal wages, and workers’ rights to unionize.
“That’s what our international partners will notice,” he said. “Because palm oil is not only about products—it’s about the people behind them.”
The nearly two-hour discussion ended in mutual understanding: cross-sector collaboration is essential to strengthening Indonesia’s global position. Havas highlighted that state-owned companies like Agrinas are not just producers—they are sustainability ambassadors.
In the face of growing global pressure, PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara’s visit to the Foreign Ministry was more than an administrative step. It was a tangible effort to align diplomacy and business—two vital fronts in Indonesia’s fight to safeguard its strategic commodities.
And behind it all was a clear message from Vice Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno:
“Speak with law. Act with ethics. And build a narrative the world can believe in.” (P2)
