The Embassy of Malaysia to The Holy See and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to The Holy See in collaboration with the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development co-organized an International Conference entitled "Promoting Poverty Eradication, Peace and Humanity through Agriculture and Plantation Industry" on 15 May 2018. The Conference was held at the Pontifical Urbaniana Unviersity in Rome.
The Conference was initiated against the backdrop of the recent decision by the EU Parliament to phase out oil palm from 2021 under the Renewable Energy Directive, known as RED II. The decision by the EU has raised serious concern on the discriminatory approach by the EU on the palm oil industries in the Asia, African and Latin American region.
The International Conference as attracted more than 150 participants comprising of Members of Diplomatic Corps, Prelates of The Holy See, policy makers, think tanks, academia, private sectors and non-government organization from all over the world.
His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok, Ambassador of Malaysia to The Holy See delivered the Keynote Address at the Seminar. The Keynote Address highlighted the importance of the palm oil industry in Malaysia particularly in generating jobs and income to the smallholders in Malaysia. He also highlighted the importance in seeking a balance between People, Profit and Planet.