Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) has urged the youth from member countries to become actively involved in building a sustainable palm oil industry.

In a statement received here on Monday, CPOPC secretary general Rizal Affandi Lukman said that the demand for palm oil in the global market will continue to increase.

"The potential and creativity of young people are needed for continuously meeting the high demand for palm oil. However, this cannot be realized without the willingness to be actively involved in the industry," he added.

He revealed that the current younger generation, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, is less interested in palm oil farming.

According to him, young people have a vital role in anticipating the challenges faced by palm oil-producing countries, especially in meeting the increasing demand for palm oil.

On August 12, 2023, coinciding with International Youth Day, the CPOPC launched the Young Elaeis Ambassador program simultaneously in Jakarta, Indonesia, and in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

The purpose of the program is to engage and educate the youth on advocating sustainability in the industry, considering that they will be future palm oil business players and consumers.

Representatives of the embassies of palm oil producing and consuming countries in Jakarta, youth associations, diaspora communities, and palm oil stakeholders attended the program launch.

Deputy for food and agribusiness at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Musdhalifah Machmud, who joined the launch via online means, explained that the role of the younger generation includes being on the frontline in conveying correct information on palm oil commodities.

Disseminating facts on palm oil commodities will greatly determine the future of Indonesia's palm oil industry, she added.

"The young generation's role is to show the sustainability values from palm oil upstreaming to downstreaming and increase the harmonization of people, profit, and planet," she said.

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Translator: Subagyo, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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