InfoSAWIT, BANDA ACEH — The Green Trade Initiative Foundation (IDH), along with several industry giants such as Apical, Mars Wrigley, Mondelēz International, Musim Mas Group, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Permata Group, Sinarmas Agribusiness and Food, and Unilever, has officially launched a voluntary initiative to promote sustainable palm oil production in Aceh.
The launch took place during the International Seminar “Growing and Protecting the Palm Oil Economy: Beyond the Supply Chain” in Banda Aceh on August 12-13, 2025. This initiative, in the form of a Working Group, aims to support deforestation-free palm oil production while strengthening the inclusion of small farmers, aligning the efforts of its members with the Aceh Sustainable Palm Oil Roadmap.
The two-day event was attended by over 160 participants from various sectors, including provincial government officials, business actors, development partners, civil society organizations, and business associations. Discussions focused on concrete steps to make Aceh a center for environmentally friendly palm oil production that benefits local communities.
Members of the Working Group are committed to supporting the Roadmap's targets without sharing sensitive or trade secret information while maintaining full independence in sourcing. The group is also open to other companies with a similar vision. Collaborative efforts include assisting mills in adopting deforestation-free raw material sources, integrating small farmers into the global supply chain, and utilizing Aceh's forest monitoring systems.
Aceh Deputy Governor H. Fadhlullah emphasized that Aceh has established conditions conducive to attracting green investments. “This can also lead to the inclusion of small farmers, job creation, and green growth,” he stated, according to information obtained by InfoSAWIT on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
International support is also flowing in. The Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia, Marc Gerritsen, noted that the Roadmap and Working Group reflect Aceh's leadership in promoting multi-stakeholder engagement and ensuring palm oil management that benefits both people and the environment.
Meanwhile, Norway's Special Envoy for Climate and Forests, Nils Hermann Ranum, described the establishment of the working group as a strategic step that positions Aceh ideally to capitalize on the growing global demand for deforestation-free commodities. “We see a strong commitment to building synergies among stakeholders, which is a crucial asset for Aceh's success,” he remarked. (T2)
