PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – After a seven-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Conference of Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE) 2025 will return on February 12-14, 2025, in Bali. The 7th edition of the conference will carry the theme “Agro-Ecological Transformation of Oil Palm: Towards Climate- and Environment-Friendly Agriculture,” emphasizing research-based solutions for the sustainability of the palm oil industry.
According to Jean-Pierre Caliman, Chairman of ICOPE 2025, the conference aims to bring together academics, government officials, private sector players, and NGOs to develop concrete strategies for addressing environmental and climate challenges.
“ICOPE serves as a platform for all stakeholders to discuss the holistic transformation of agro-ecological palm oil,” said Caliman, who is also the Head of SMART Research Institute, during a press conference attended by Palmoilmagazine.com on Wednesday (Feb 5, 2025), in Jakarta.
Agus Purnomo, Director of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, highlighted the need for the palm oil industry to adapt to extreme weather and strengthen collaboration.
“Palm oil productivity has increased from 6-7 tons of CPO per hectare per year to 10-12 tons, thanks to seed breeding innovations. However, climate challenges and environmental pressures still require sustainable solutions,” he explained.
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The conference will address critical issues, including: Achieving net-zero emissions, Biodiversity conservation, Empowerment of smallholder farmers, Utilization of palm oil waste, particularly Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), which has potential as a renewable energy source when processed properly.
Haskarlianus Pasang, Co-Chairman of ICOPE 2025, underscored the government’s commitment to sustainable palm oil, particularly in waste utilization for energy.
“The government is committed to optimizing POME as part of the energy transition. This is both an economic and environmental opportunity that must be seized,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Irfan Bakhtiar, Program Director for Climate & Market Transformation at WWF Indonesia, welcomed ICOPE 2025 as a strategic platform for advancing sustainable palm oil practices.
“WWF supports sustainability initiatives through certification and governance improvements. This conference will strengthen science-based collaboration,” he added.
Since its launch in 2007, ICOPE has been held biennially, with its last edition in 2018, before being paused due to the pandemic. Its return is seen as timely, particularly in addressing global concerns over deforestation and carbon emissions.
“ICOPE is not just about discussions—it’s about real action. We need to implement good agricultural practices (GAP) backed by scientific data,” Caliman emphasized.
Aiming for Policy Recommendations & Technological Innovations
The conference is expected to produce policy recommendations and technological innovations that can be adopted by all stakeholders. With the participation of international experts, industry leaders, and policymakers, ICOPE 2025 aims to be a milestone in accelerating the palm oil industry’s transformation towards a climate-friendly and inclusive future.
“The future of palm oil depends on balancing productivity, sustainability, and social equity. ICOPE 2025 will pave the way,” concluded Agus Purnomo. (P2)
