Enviro News Asia, Belém — Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, H.E. Rohmat Marzuki, held a bilateral meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, on the sidelines of the Tropical Forests High-Level Conference in Belém, Brazil.
The discussion focused on advancing Indonesia–Japan cooperation in sustainable mangrove ecosystem management and climate resilience, including progress updates and final steps toward implementing a joint project supported by JICA.
Deputy Minister Marzuki expressed appreciation for JICA’s continued commitment and flexibility in supporting Indonesia’s environmental initiatives.
“We deeply value JICA’s consistent support and adaptability in ensuring a smooth transition process and aligning the project’s objectives with our shared vision for sustainable mangrove management and climate resilience,” Marzuki stated.
Following Indonesia’s recent government institutional restructuring, the Ministry of Forestry has been designated as the implementing agency for the collaboration project. Both sides have worked closely to revise the Record of Discussion (RoD) signed in 2024, aligning it with the new institutional framework and a streamlined project design.
The meeting also highlighted the Mangrove Information Center (MIC) as a key component of Indonesia’s contribution to the World Mangrove Center (WMC) framework. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the MIC’s role not only as a national learning and capacity-building center, but also as a regional and international knowledge-sharing platform within the WMC network.
“We aim to position the MIC as a global knowledge hub that showcases best practices, scientific data, and policy innovations from various countries,” Marzuki explained.
The Ministry of Forestry is currently preparing technical and operational measures to enhance MIC readiness, including facility upgrades, expert recruitment, and coordination with relevant ministries and institutions. The center is presently undergoing a management transition from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) to the Ministry of Forestry.
“We look forward to JICA’s continued support in strengthening MIC facilities and technical capacity to ensure its full functionality under the global WMC framework,” Marzuki added.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Deputy Minister reaffirmed the Government of Indonesia’s deep appreciation for JICA’s long-term partnership in the forestry sector.
“We believe this project will serve as a model for enhancing resilience and sustainability through effective mangrove ecosystem management,” he concluded. (*)
