Palm Oil Producers Council Enters New Phase

Jakarta, VIVA – In a significant leadership transition, the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) has announced the appointment of Izzana Salleh as its new Secretary General and Musdhalifah Machmud as Deputy Secretary General for the term of June 2025 to May 2028.

This change marks a pivotal moment in CPOPC’s mission to reinforce sustainability, inclusivity, and international cooperation in the palm oil industry.

The announcement, made at the CPOPC Secretariat in Jakarta, was attended by outgoing executives from the 2022–2025 term: Secretary General Rizal Affandi Lukman, Deputy Secretary General Datuk Nageeb Wahab, Director of Sustainability and Smallholders Witjaksana Darmosarkoro, and Director of Policy and Strategy Puah Chiew Wei. Their tenure was characterized by strategic achievements and a stronger global presence.

“Over the past three years, we have worked tirelessly to shift global narratives around palm oil—placing facts, fairness, and smallholder welfare at the center,” said Rizal. “This is not the end, but the beginning of a continued journey. I am confident that Izzana and Musdhalifah will carry this momentum forward.”

Under the previous leadership, CPOPC made historic strides, including attaining observer status at the UN ECOSOC, launching the Sustainable Vegetable Oils Conference, and establishing a Joint Task Force on the EU Deforestation Regulation.

The organization also joined the Global Biofuels Alliance, amplified youth engagement via the #YoungElaeis Ambassadors program, and strengthened outreach to major consumer markets.

Izzana, a Harvard-educated policy and nonprofit leader, brings vast experience from both corporate and civil society sectors.

Joining her is Musdhalifah, an Indonesian public policy veteran with decades of service in food security and sustainability.

“It is an honor to serve at this critical juncture,” said Izzana. “We will ensure that responsibly produced palm oil is globally recognized as a force for good—supporting livelihoods, food and energy security, and climate action. Our focus will be on strengthening regional collaboration, aligning sustainability standards, and advocating for smallholder inclusion in global value chains.”