Enviro News Asia, New York — The Indonesian Government, through the Ministry of Forestry, continues to strengthen international cooperation in forestry and climate action as part of President Prabowo Subianto’s policy direction to enhance collaboration in protecting and preserving Indonesia’s forests.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni and Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), held at the Indonesian Lounge, United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States, on Tuesday (12/5).
The meeting discussed the continuation and expansion of Indonesia–UNEP cooperation in forestry, including strengthening REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), developing forestry carbon markets, and advancing innovative financing schemes for national parks.
During the discussion, Minister Raja Juli Antoni expressed appreciation for the strong partnership established between Indonesia and UNEP, including through the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024.
According to the Minister, the cooperation provides a solid foundation for implementing more concrete and impactful programmes in sustainable forest management and climate mitigation.
The Minister emphasized that the Indonesian Government places climate action as a national priority, particularly in achieving the Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 target. Indonesia also aims to position itself as a global carbon hub by developing a high-integrity carbon market.
“Indonesia has taken major steps in operationalizing carbon trading through Minister of Forestry Regulation No. 6 of 2026, as a follow-up to Presidential Regulation No. 110 of 2025. The regulation provides a clear and comprehensive framework for forestry carbon trading, ranging from project development and verification to transactions, thereby ensuring certainty and transparency for investors and partners,” the Minister said.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the National Park Innovative Financing Task Force through Presidential Decree No. 8 of 2026. The task force is tasked with developing practical financing solutions for conservation areas, including through blended finance and other innovative funding approaches.
Regarding REDD+ cooperation, Minister Raja Juli Antoni welcomed UNEP’s initiative to strengthen collaboration in supporting REDD+ implementation in Indonesia. He stressed that under Presidential Regulation No. 110 of 2025, the Ministry of Forestry serves as the lead sector for carbon management in the Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) sector, including REDD+ implementation.
Indonesia also expressed appreciation for UNEP’s support through the UN-REDD Programme, including the implementation of the Green for Riau initiative, which is expected to serve as a model for developing jurisdictional REDD+ approaches in other regions.
During the meeting, the Minister also underscored the importance of strengthening the representation of tropical forest countries within UNEP. As one of the world’s largest tropical forest nations, Indonesia hopes that more Indonesian professionals can contribute to UNEP’s global environmental and forestry agenda.
The bilateral meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with UNEP to deliver concrete, innovative, and impactful cooperation in sustainable forest management and global climate action.
Accompanying the Minister at the meeting were the Director General of Sustainable Forest Management, the Director General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation, the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Forestry, and the Head of the Bureau of Public Relations and International Cooperation. (*)
