PALMOILMAGAZINE, KUALA LUMPUR — The Chief Executive Officer of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Joseph D’Cruz, emphasized the critical need for transformation and global collaboration to strengthen the sustainability of the palm oil industry. Delivering his keynote address at the RSPO Annual Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2025) in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (November 3, 2025), Joseph highlighted that RSPO is now at a pivotal moment in its history—when the world demands tangible proof of sustainability in action.
“RSPO is a unique platform. We bring together the smallest rural communities with the largest multinational corporations. We connect NGOs, financial institutions, and governments with on-the-ground realities of sustainability,” Joseph said during his keynote speech.
RSPO now has more than 6,200 members across 105 countries and territories worldwide, with significant growth in regions such as China, Africa, and the Middle East. “In China, RSPO celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with more than 400 active members and a steadily increasing demand for RSPO-certified products,” he noted.
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Global Growth and Government Collaboration
Joseph underlined that more governments are recognizing the value of RSPO’s certification system. In Nigeria, two new provinces—Cross River and Ondo—have launched jurisdictional certification initiatives with support from the FAO, joining Edo State, which adopted the system earlier. “The Jurisdictional Membership category we introduced last year is now attracting growing interest from governments around the world,” he said.
While membership and production growth are commendable, Joseph stressed that the true measure of success lies in real-world impact. “What matters most is how RSPO’s system drives positive change for communities and the environment,” he emphasized.
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Confronting Challenges, Embracing Transformation
Joseph acknowledged that the palm oil industry is navigating one of the most complex periods in its history, marked by evolving trade rules, market disruptions, new regulations, and pushback against sustainability agendas in several countries.
“In facing these challenges, RSPO must evolve to stay relevant and deliver real solutions for our members. Evolution means celebrating our achievements, learning from shortcomings, and boldly exploring new ways forward,” he said.
The theme of RT2025 — Data, Digitalisation and Diligence — perfectly reflects RSPO’s direction for the future. “We must prove the value of sustainability not only through certification, but through real results: resilient communities, protected forests, and empowered farmers,” he stated.
Digitalisation: A New Pillar of Sustainability
Joseph announced the launch of Prisma, RSPO’s new digital system and a major milestone in its digital transformation journey. Developed in collaboration with members, Prisma replaces PalmTrace and now serves as the central platform for certification, trade, and traceability processes.
“Prisma enables real-time data access, supports regulatory audits, risk analysis, and provides product-level sustainability evidence for forward-thinking brands,” he explained.
He emphasized that digitalisation is not merely a compliance exercise but a strategic tool to unlock broader market opportunities. “These tools help our members turn regulatory challenges into strategic advantages—enhancing market access to Europe and beyond,” Joseph added.
Strengthened Commitment to Service and Standards
Beyond digital transformation, RSPO continues to reinforce its sustainability foundation through the implementation of the 2024 Principles & Criteria (P&C) and the Independent Smallholder Standard, which both take effect this month. Meanwhile, revisions to the Supply Chain Certification Standard are scheduled for approval in September.
“These new standards are better aligned with current market and regulatory demands and include stronger protections for forests, human rights, and smallholders,” Joseph explained.
Concluding his speech, Joseph reaffirmed his determination to lead RSPO to a new era of impact and innovation. “We’ve built the foundation. Now, my team and I are committed to proving that the RSPO system can deliver value and services like never before,” he said. (P2)
