Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia and Indonesia, theworld's largest palm oil producers, have agreed with the European Union (EU) topromote mutual understanding and tackle concerns over the EU Deforestation Regulation(EUDR) and benchmarking via an ad hoc joint task force (JTF) co-chaired by thethree parties.

As reported by the Malaysian English-language newspaper NewStraits Times, the JTF had its first meeting in Jakarta on August 5, with thethree sides agreeing on the terms of reference for its work, which include suchissues as traceability from producer to end-consumer, scientific data ondeforestation and forest degradation, and protection of data.

The event also shared information on the implementation of Indonesia’s andMalaysia’s sustainable palm oil programmes as well as the availabletraceability tools. The next meeting is scheduled to take place at the end ofNovember.

JTF, in a statement, said it will establish a dialogue andrelevant workstreams, led by the respective governments, to build mutualunderstanding on the implementation of the regulation and its core aspects,including benchmarking.

JTF is a platform to serve as a consultative mechanism tosupport coordination and promotion of mutual understanding between Indonesia,Malaysia, and the European Union, said the statement. It will conclude its workby the end of 2024, with the possibility to be extended upon mutual agreement./.