Enviro News Asia, Samarinda — The Indonesian Forest Concessionaires Association (APHI) reinforced central–regional coordination and stakeholder collaboration during a gathering held in Samarinda on Tuesday (10/2/2026), ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, as the forestry sector faces increasingly complex challenges.
APHI Chairman Soewarso met with the Regional Commissariats (KOMDA) of East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan, along with their members, to strengthen communication, alignment of vision, and institutional synergy. The meeting was also attended by APHI Secretary General Purwadi Soeprihanto and Vice Chair of Public Relations and Cooperation Committee Trisia Megawati.
Soewarso emphasized that stronger collaboration among business actors, central and regional governments, local communities, academics, and development partners is essential to ensure forestry policies and programs remain effective, adaptive, and beneficial to both the national economy and community welfare.
“Ahead of Ramadan, we aim to reinforce togetherness, align our vision, and build stronger collaboration between the central board, regional offices, and all members,” Soewarso stated.
He underlined that synergy must extend beyond internal organizational coordination to include strategic stakeholders at all levels.
“APHI must continue strengthening cooperation with the central and regional governments, the private sector, forest-dependent communities, academics, and development partners to ensure forestry policies are implemented effectively,” he said.
According to Soewarso, cross-sector collaboration is critical in building a competitive yet sustainable forestry industry amid growing environmental, social, and global market challenges.
“Future forestry challenges are becoming more complex. Environmental, social, and global market issues cannot be addressed independently. They require strong synergy among all stakeholders,” he added.
He also reaffirmed APHI’s commitment to serving as a strategic partner to the government in advancing national forestry development. Strengthened central–regional coordination, he said, will accelerate the achievement of sustainable forestry targets.
Chairman of APHI East Kalimantan Regional Commissariat Asrul Anwar described the meeting as a strategic platform to enhance coordination between the national board and regional members.
“We need strong support from the central leadership to ensure that policies and programs align with on-the-ground realities,” Asrul said.
He noted that intensive communication would help resolve operational challenges more efficiently and improve the competitiveness of the forestry industry in East Kalimantan.
Meanwhile, Chairman of APHI North Kalimantan Regional Commissariat Eddy Zulkarnaen viewed the gathering as a demonstration of shared commitment to building a healthy and sustainable forestry ecosystem.
“This meeting is not merely a Ramadan gathering; it reinforces our joint commitment to expanding collaboration among central, regional, and member institutions,” he said.
APHI expects that the spirit of solidarity and collaboration strengthened through the meeting will serve as a foundation for enhancing the role of Indonesia’s forestry sector in sustainable national development. (*)
