Programme

Facing intense global legislative pressure, the palm oil industry faces a critical question: are we prioritising regulatory compliance over genuine, scalable impact? This interactive session scrutinises the tension between achieving regulatory defensibility and driving deep, on-the-ground transformation. Panelists will explore strategies to transcend minimum requirements, ensuring that technical compliance - such as traceability infrastructure - does not create exclusion. The discussion will define how the sector can fulfill compliance mandates while simultaneously driving tangible, scalable progress across People, Planet, and Prosperity.

This interactive dialogue explores what it takes for the next generation to trust and inherit a sustainable palm oil future. With"palm-free" marketing often overshadowing certified sustainability labels and sending mixed signals to consumers, has palm oil become the accidental villain? Bringing together industry veterans, youth advocates, consumer experts, and audience members who can rotate directly into the discussion, this dynamic session unpacks brand silence, misleading claims and whether or not the burden of proof sits on the sector itself to help consumers make the right, facts-based choices.

As the industry strengthens its sustainability architecture, we face a critical challenge: passive exclusion. While global regulatory and sustainability initiatives are necessary for compliance, they risk creating a two-tier market where independent smallholders are left behind due to structural barriers. This session moves beyond standard-setting to examine inclusion mechanics. Panelists will dissect how these frameworks impact smallholders, identify structural blind spots in buyer behavior, and explore the procurement pivots needed to transform these initiatives from exclusionary barriers into gateways for global market participation.

This closing fireside chat assesses RSPO’s legacy and future, focusing on capital flow and allocation. RSPO leadership, a market expert, and a financier will examine the gap between institutional priorities and on-the-ground realities. Speakers will address the challenge of translating public sustainability commitments into tangible capital for certified sustainable palm oil, while analysing how new global regulations are reshaping investment risks and opportunities. The session will frame RSPO’s key financing and growth priorities over the next 5, 10 and 15 year timeframe, ensuring effectiveness and relevance in an evolving global market.