INDONESIA has achieved positive result in its effort to develop sustainable palm oil, despite the stigma associated with the products by some European countries.

THE government is considering to strengthen Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) criteria by adopting values of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDGs, otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

IMPLEMENTATION of sustainable practices in Indonesian palm oil industry have achieved impresive progress.

There is a growing awareness of the importance of palm oil products in Europe, despite the stigma associated with the products.

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita asked Europe to acknowledge the benefits of palm oil and its contribution to the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

SUPPORTED by the Indonesian Oil Palm Estate Fund (BPDPKS), oil palm smallholders in Luwu Timur District, South Sulawesi began to replant their plantations.

THE European Union (EU) welcomed President Joko Widodo\'s instruction to halt the issuing of permits for palm plantations, calling it a much welcomed step toward sustainable development. The EU Ambassador to Indonesia Vincent Guerend said in a statement on Thursday (27/9/2018), concerning a venue of stakeholders to consider the extent to which palm oil growth has underpinned socio-economic development. \`To the extent that palm oil can be beneficial to the people and the planet, it is and will remain a key commodity for global companies and consumers.

The European Union (EU) is ready to work with Indonesia on how existing certification schemes could be further strengthened and promoted. On its Fact Sheet published on 20 September 2018, the EU suggested that to be fully inclusive, a future \`sustainable Palm Oil solution\` does not have to put the burden of certification on individual \`small farmers".

PRESIDEN Joko Widodo has signed a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) concerning moratorium on new palm oil development and ordered a review of existing plantations as well as boost the productivity of palm oil plantations. The Inpres signed on 19 September 2018 ordered all central and provincial governments, including governors, mayors and district chiefs to to re-evaluate permits. To minister of Environment and Forestry, Presiden Jokowi instructs to postpone the release or the exchange of forest areas for palm oil plantations.

The House of Representatives (DPR RI) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo asked Commission II of The House to demand Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency to map out plantations area in order to review national palm oil governance.