Swiss govt supports Sabah’s Jurisdictional Approach for Sustainable Palm Oil
18/09/2024 (Borneo Post Online), Kota Kinabalu - The Embassy of Switzerland in Malaysia conducted a significant visit to Kota Kinabalu on September 12 and 13, engaging with key stakeholders driving the Sabah Jurisdictional Approach for Sustainable Palm Oil (JASPO).
JASPO aims to promote sustainable palm oil practices, balancing economic growth with environmental conservation with social equity.
Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Green Commodities Programme Phase III funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) supports Sabah’s ambition to become a sustainable palm oil producer on a global level through capacity building and accelerating collaborative processes under the initiative.
The delegation, led by the Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission, Ralph A. Stamm met with representatives from Natural Resources Office and Sabah Forestry Department, the JASPO Secretariat, Forever Sabah, WWF-Malaysia and Sawit Kinabalu, to discuss collaborative efforts in enhancing sustainable practices in the palm oil sector.
“Switzerland is committed to promoting sustainable development globally. We see the Sabah Jurisdictional Approach as a pioneering initiative driven by local actors to make the production of palm oil sustainable at the scale of a whole state,” said Ralph A. Stamm.
“We support this collaboration among very different stakeholders with the goal of improving the lives of workers, farming families and their communities while protecting forests and vulnerable ecosystems.”
The Sabah state government, represented by Sernam Singh, the Secretary of Natural Resources Office, emphasised the importance of stakeholder collaboration.
“JASPO is a testament to Sabah’s commitment to sustainability. Engaging with diverse stakeholders ensures that our palm oil industry can thrive while protecting our unique ecosystems and respecting the rights of local communities,” he stated.
Industry players also expressed their commitment to JASPO.
Nazlan Mohamad, General Manager Sustainability of Sawit Kinabalu noted, “Sustainable practices are not just a moral obligation but also a business imperative. JASPO is a framework that aligns economic growth with environmental stewardship. We are committed to being part of this positive change.”
The visit culminated into discussions where stakeholders shared their insights and outlined future
steps to enhance the efficacy of the Sabah JASPO Initiative. The Embassy of Switzerland in Malaysia and UNDP, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sabah’s efforts through effective collaborative action, technical assistance, capacity building, and fostering international partnerships.
As Sabah moves forward with its jurisdictional approach, the multi-stakeholder collaboration is set to pave the way for a sustainable future in palm oil production, ensuring that the state’s palm oil sector is future-proofed for generations to come.