Malaysia is actively seeking full recognition from the European Union (EU) for its sustainable palm oil system. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the Plantation and Commodities Ministry is expected to host a delegation from the European Union in September to October to showcase the results of the implementation of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification on the ground. He emphasized, “They have recognized our MSPO certification and we hope they will fully embrace our sustainability and traceability system.”

Despite Malaysia's MSPO certification, the European Union (EU) still classifies it as a “standard risk” country, putting smallholder farmers at risk of being excluded from the EU market. In response, Johari has called for the widespread adoption of sustainable farming standards in the commodities industry, with around 85% of smallholders now certified.

Beyond palm oil, Malaysia is also pushing to transform its cocoa industry. Johari pointed out that the country is moving towards climate-smart agriculture, and low-carbon cocoa planting research. 2024 Malaysia's exports of cocoa and products are expected to reach 690,000 tons, an increase of 29% year-on-year, with a total export value of up to RM15 billion. He emphasized that in order to meet the demand of the high-end market, the country is promoting the development of high-quality, single-origin and organic cocoa varieties to enhance Malaysia's positioning in the global cocoa value chain.