Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their long-standing collaboration in the forestry sector through two new strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening sustainable forest governance and supporting Indonesia’s national target of achieving Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030.
The partnership was officially renewed during a bilateral meeting between Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Forestry and representatives from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on Thursday (30 October). The meeting marked a significant step in advancing bilateral cooperation in forestry, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.
Building upon over two decades of collaboration under the Multistakeholder Forestry Programme (MFP), the two governments introduced MFP-5 and the Land Facility – Indonesia Country Support Project as the next phase of joint initiatives.
MFP-5: Strengthening Forest Governance and Sustainable Trade
The Multistakeholder Forestry Programme – Phase 5 (MFP-5) continues the legacy of MFP-1 through MFP-4 (2000–2023), which successfully improved Indonesia’s forest governance and strengthened the Timber Legality Verification System (Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu or SVLK). Running from 2025 to 2030, the grant-funded MFP-5 aims to enhance the implementation of the updated SVLK, support sustainable forest management, promote responsible timber trade, and foster collaboration among stakeholders at national and international levels.
“MFP-5 marks a pivotal step in ensuring that Indonesia’s forest governance not only stands strong in regulatory terms but also delivers tangible benefits for communities and the green economy,” said the Vice Minister of Forestry.
Land Facility Project: Empowering Indigenous Forest Management
In addition to MFP-5, both governments are initiating the Land Facility – Indonesia Country Support Project, titled Land to Livelihoods: Enabling Customary Land Utilisation for Resilient Food Systems. This project seeks to accelerate the recognition and sustainable management of customary forests under Indonesia’s social forestry framework, empowering indigenous communities to strengthen food resilience through sustainable land use practices.
The project’s first phase, scheduled for November 2025 to March 2026, will involve case studies, institutional capacity building, and the development of a 2026–2029 roadmap to accelerate customary forest recognition. Priority regions include Papua, West Papua, and Southwest Papua, supported by Indonesia’s Balai Perhutanan Sosial and local stakeholders.
“Through the Land Facility, we aim to ensure that indigenous peoples become the key actors in sustainable forest and food system management — a true reflection of social justice in green development,” the Vice Minister added.
Long-Term Commitment Under Extended MoU
Both programs are implemented under the extended Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Governments of Indonesia and the United Kingdom on cooperation in forestry and land use, originally signed in 2022 and now extended through 2032.
The UK Government, through the FCDO, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Indonesia’s leadership in forest governance, biodiversity conservation, and the transition toward a low-carbon economy. This partnership aims to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a regional leader in nature-based solutions, ensuring that climate action translates directly into improved livelihoods for forest-dependent communities. (*)
