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No Longer Defensive! Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Reveals Indonesia’s New Strategy Against Global Palm Oil Discrimination

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In the face of relentless global regulations against palm oil, Indonesia has chosen to stop playing defense. The nation is now pivoting toward a strategic, inclusive diplomacy rooted in grassroots narratives. This was the central message delivered by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Arif Havas Oegroseno during his keynote speech at the National Seminar “Opportunities and Challenges of the Bioenergy Industry Toward Golden Indonesia 2045” in Jakarta.

A Human Face for Global Standards

Vice Minister Havas opened with an inspiring story of a 72-year-old grandmother in Kamojang, West Java, who leads a coffee cooperative. Despite growing from 6 to 180 hectares, the cooperative faces a common hurdle: unclear land legal status, leading international bodies like the Rainforest Alliance to deny certification.

“This is the reality for our farmers—not just in palm oil, but in coffee, cocoa, and rubber. They fail to meet international standards not because they are incapable, but because the system does not favor them,” the Vice Minister stated.

To counter this, Indonesia is preparing a “People-First Diplomacy” by sending female farmers from various sectors to the European Union. Their mission is not just trade, but to share humanist, real-world narratives to shift the perspectives of European policymakers toward a fairer approach for developing nations.

[Image showing the contrast between large-scale industrial farming and smallholder farmer empowerment in Indonesia]

Creating Our Own Norms: BRICS and Global Benchmarks

A critical pillar of this new strategy is Standard-Setting Diplomacy. Indonesia has successfully encouraged BRICS nations to reject the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and agree on establishing a global standard for sustainable vegetable oils.

“We must enter the arena of standard-setting, not just be the object of it. We have been reactive for too long. Now is the time for Indonesia to create its own norms through the FAO, BRICS, and CPOPC,” Havas asserted.

Strategic Market Expansion: From US States to Africa

The Vice Minister outlined two specific regional strategies:

  • United States: Bypassing federal hurdles by seeking direct cooperation with individual U.S. states, similar to the MOUs established by the UK, Japan, and South Korea.

  • Africa: Establishing a physical industrial presence in countries like Angola, Egypt, or Kenya. This “Double-Win” strategy opens local markets while providing a back door to Europe through North Africa.

Vice Minister Havas concluded that this diplomacy requires a “grand orchestration” between government, industry, academia, and civil society. “As long as we are united and take these steps together, I am confident that Indonesian palm oil will not just survive, but become a global pioneer in sustainable vegetable oils.”