PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) has officially entered a new leadership phase, signaling renewed momentum to strengthen its sustainability agenda and enhance global palm oil diplomacy.
Effective from June 2025 to May 2028, the CPOPC will be led by its new Secretary General, Izzana Salleh, supported by Deputy Secretary General Dr. Musdhalifah Machmud. The announcement was made during a press conference at the CPOPC Secretariat in Jakarta, marking the transition from the 2022–2025 leadership period.
In her inaugural statement, Izzana reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to championing the role of palm oil-producing nations on the international stage.
“We will ensure that responsibly and sustainably produced palm oil from our member countries is recognized as a positive force — supporting livelihoods, food and energy security, and delivering real climate solutions,” she declared during the conference attended by Palmoilmagazine.com on Wednesday (May 28, 2025).
Under the previous leadership, CPOPC underwent significant transformation, establishing its strategic stance through five key pillars: advocacy and promotion, sustainability, smallholder empowerment, research and development, and policy dialogue. Notable milestones included attaining observer status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which granted the organization a voice in high-level multilateral forums.
Other key achievements involved the launch of the Sustainable Vegetable Oils Conference (SVOC) as a cross-sector platform for dialogue, the formation of a Joint Task Force with the European Union, Indonesia, and Malaysia to address the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and active diplomacy in key consumer markets such as the EU, India, China, the UK, and Pakistan. CPOPC also joined the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), reinforcing palm oil’s role in the energy transition toward Net Zero 2060. Meanwhile, the youth-focused #YoungElaeis initiative engaged over 380 participants from various countries.
Outgoing Secretary General Dr. Rizal Affandi Lukman emphasized that his term was not the conclusion, but a foundation for continued progress.
“In the past three years, we have strived to reshape the world’s perception of palm oil—grounded in facts, fairness, and the welfare of smallholders,” he stated.
New Leadership, Renewed Vision
Izzana Salleh brings a unique blend of experience across public policy, corporate leadership, and global advocacy. She is a board member at the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), founder of RISE Human Capital, and a leading figure in Girls for Girls International, a global platform operating in over 40 countries.
Alongside her, Dr. Musdhalifah Machmud contributes decades of expertise in food, agriculture, and sustainability policy. A seasoned Indonesian policymaker, she has served as Deputy Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and represented Indonesia in global forums, including as Co-Chair of the Forest, Agriculture, and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue.
Looking forward, CPOPC aims to strengthen regional and value-chain collaboration, promote data-driven advocacy, and push for innovation in sustainable palm oil practices.
With dynamic female leadership at the helm, the organization is poised to become an even more effective bridge between producers and consumers — championing justice, recognition, and long-term sustainability for responsibly produced palm oil on a global scale. (P2)
