21 August 2026
Advancing the implementation of the Human Rights Action Plan (HRAP) for Palm Oil across SEA
Proforest organised two key engagements in Indonesia and Malaysia, bringing together companies, governments, civil society organisations, and local stakeholders to strengthen collaboration on addressing salient human rights issues in palm oil supply chains.
From 23–27 June, a delegation of representatives from Nestlé, Proforest, Earthworm Foundation, Swisscontact, and Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) embarked on a field visit to Subulussalam and Aceh Singkil, Indonesia, as part of the implementation of Nestlé's Human Rights Action Plan (HRAP).
The visit provided participants with first-hand insights into the opportunities and challenges surrounding Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LC) land rights, while showcasing ongoing efforts to promote more inclusive and sustainable palm oil production.
A key highlight of the visit was a courtesy meeting with local stakeholders in Subulussalam, attended by companies, government agencies, IP&LC representatives, NGOs, and community leaders, to better understand local perspectives on IP&LC land rights. Representing the Mayor, Regional Secretary Asrul Assani affirmed the city government's support for the joint work of stakeholders on IP&LC land rights in Subulussalam (as seen in main photo above).
Discussions also explored opportunities to build on these efforts through stronger partnerships and landscape-level collaboration to advance respect for IP&LC rights in Aceh.
The visit also included a visit to the Singgersing Customary Forest in Subulussalam, where participants engaged with local communities on the importance of protecting customary forests and securing access to essential resources, particularly water. In Aceh Singkil, the team engaged with the multi-stakeholder forum overseeing the District Action Plan on Sustainable Palm Oil and held a dialogue with Koperasi Produsen Sada Negeri Group (KPSNG), an RSPO-certified cooperative, gaining insights into the achievements and challenges faced by smallholders.
Separately, Proforest hosted the Nestlé HRAP for Palm Oil in Malaysia Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on 2 July 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.
The workshop brought together representatives from palm oil supply chain companies, certification standards, industry associations, civil society organisations, government agencies, academia, and others to gather stakeholder input on the ongoing implementation strategy to address forced labour risks and amplify worker voice in Malaysia's palm oil sector.
The consultation formed part of Nestlé's Human Rights Action Plan for Malaysia, which applies Proforest's Smart Mix approach to combine supplier engagement with broader sector collaboration to address systemic human rights challenges.
Participants contributed practical recommendations through facilitated roundtable discussions, helping to refine proposed actions and identify opportunities for collective action.
The workshop also featured a presentation by Mr. Kevin Geh Kien Meng, Director of the Policy and Research Section of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU), Prime Minister's Department (JPM) on the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2025–2030, highlighting the growing alignment between corporate due diligence efforts and national policy priorities.
Together, these engagements highlight meaningful stakeholder collaboration in addressing complex human rights issues across supply chains and production landscapes. By connecting local experiences with national dialogue, Proforest continues to support practical, scalable approaches that strengthen responsible sourcing and contribute to more resilient agricultural supply chains that deliver positive outcomes for people, nature, and climate.
For more information on the HRAP for Palm Oil in Indonesia, contact hadiya.rasyid@proforest.net
For more information on the HRAP for Palm Oil in Malaysia, contact aravin.pillai@proforest.net
