Environmental and forestry diplomacy is far from easy. Indonesia faces numerous pressures from various countries with different agendas, yet the nation must prioritize its own interests in international forums.
Dr. Ristianto Pribadi, Director of Forest Product Marketing and Processing Development, Directorate General of Sustainable Forest Management at the Ministry of Forestry, shared these insights during the launch of the book Agus Justianto: Green Diplomacy at the Indonesia Pavilion on Tuesday, November 12, amid the ongoing COP29 UNFCCC Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11–22, 2024. Also speaking at the event were Dr. Bambang Supriyanto from the International Tropical Peatland Centre (ITPC) and Dr. Tri Edhi Budi Soesilo, M.Si, Director of the School of Environmental Science at the University of Indonesia.
According to Ristianto, the 334-page book chronicles the extensive career of Agus Justianto, from his early days at the Ministry of Forestry to advocating for sustainable forests, addressing climate change, and conducting environmental diplomacy and negotiations on the global stage. The book openly discusses the immense pressures of international negotiations and the strategies Agus Justianto used to navigate them. “Agus is not a diplomat by training, but he has excelled at diplomacy and negotiation on environmental and forestry issues for the benefit of Indonesia,” Ristianto remarked.
Ristianto also noted that the book highlights various forestry research and innovations that have provided significant social, economic, environmental, and scientific benefits. “One of Agus’s greatest achievements was establishing the Xylarium Bogoriense, the world’s largest wood library, which houses 185,647 wood specimens from across Indonesia,” Ristianto shared. He also mentioned Agus’s development of the Automatic Wood Identification Tool (AIKO), which allows for rapid and accurate wood species identification using a smartphone, an accomplishment during Agus’s tenure as Head of the Research, Development, and Innovation Agency at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Bambang Supriyanto, who has worked closely with Agus Justianto, highlighted Agus’s impactful contributions, including the monumental Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK). “SVLK has had an extraordinary impact, enabling Indonesian wood products to access the European market with traceable origins and avoiding accusations of illegal logging,” Bambang stated. He emphasized the system’s benefits for farmers, the timber industry, the nation, and environmental sustainability.
Bambang also emphasized Agus Justianto’s data-driven approach to negotiation and diplomacy. “By negotiating based on comprehensive and accurate data, his counterparts often found it hard to refute his arguments. This was one of his strengths,” Bambang explained, also mentioning Agus’s commitment to mentoring and developing future leaders within the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Dr. Tri Edhi Budi Soesilo added that the book, which details Agus Justianto’s contributions to the environment and forestry sector, is comprehensive, educational, and inspirational. He believes it is a valuable resource for diplomats, environmental practitioners, and academics. “The book is particularly relevant as global environmental and forestry issues gain increasing prominence,” Soesilo noted.
In his opening remarks, Agus Justianto expressed his hope that sharing his 37 years of experience in environmental and forestry management will benefit forestry practitioners, policymakers, and academics, contributing to improved environmental and forestry governance in Indonesia.
