Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The governments of Indonesia and Norway reaffirmed their long-term partnership in climate action through the Joint Consultation Group (JCG) meeting held in Jakarta on April 29, 2025, followed by the Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) meeting in Bogor on April 30, 2025. Both forums are part of the coordination mechanism outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries, which supports Indonesia’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) sector.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Forestry, it was explained that during the JCG meeting, delegates discussed key strategic issues, including the development of global Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) protocols, presented by Prof. Haruni Krisnawati, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Forestry on Climate Change. Haruni outlined current progress on MRV protocol development globally, which serves as a critical foundation for ensuring transparency, accountability, and credibility within the framework of global climate finance.
In his opening remarks at the JCG, Dr. Ir. Mahfudz, M.P., Secretary General of the Ministry of Forestry and Co-Chair of the JCG for Indonesia, emphasized the importance of harmonizing technical cooperation, strengthening institutional capacity, synchronizing reporting systems, and ensuring that all available funding delivers maximum impact for climate actions that engage local communities.
Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, H.E. Rut Kruger Giverin, who also serves as Co-Chair of the JCG for Norway, expressed strong support for the review and reassessment of the MRV protocol and the implementation of the agreed MRV Protocol as the basis for funding climate action and forest development in Indonesia. Ambassador Rut reiterated Norway’s support for FOLU-based climate action in Indonesia and proposed periodic evaluations of implemented activities as part of the monitoring and evaluation system.
This first-ever JCG meeting covered several key discussion topics, including:
- A review of the Ministerial Dialogue between Norway’s Minister of Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen and Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni in February 2025;
- A review of the outcomes from the 2024 Annual Meeting on the Indonesia–Norway MoU Implementation;
- A general progress report on Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 achievements; and
- The MRV Protocol.
These topics were further explored in greater detail during the JTWG meeting.
At the JTWG meeting in Bogor, technical discussions focused on the implementation of Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan. After opening remarks by the Co-Chairs, the first session featured progress reports on the five (5) work areas of Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 initiative.
Discussions on Indonesia’s MRV Protocol began with a presentation by Prof. Haruni Krisnawati. The forum agreed on updates to the protocol to improve data quality, harmonize methodologies, and utilize advanced technologies.
Beyond MRV, one of the most enthusiastically discussed topics was Norway’s support in providing Indonesia with access to high-resolution satellite imagery. The use of high-resolution satellite images was highlighted as an important innovation for improving the accuracy and efficiency of forest monitoring.
In the safeguard discussions, it was agreed that the implementation of safeguards would be established as a core component—not merely a supplement—within the FOLU Net Sink 2030 program. Emphasis was placed on strengthening technical and institutional capacity at the local level and ensuring sustainable, incentive-based financing to maintain the program’s continuity after donor support ends. Meaningful stakeholder participation remains a key guiding principle.
