Enviro News Asia, Antalya — Indonesia has called for stronger international financing and greater community participation in forest protection, describing forests as essential to national development, water and food security, and long-term resilience.
Presidential Special Envoy for Climate and Energy Hashim Djojohadikusumo delivered the message on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the COP31 Leaders’ Summit Event on Forests at Plenary Akdeniz during the 31st UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Türkiye.
The gathering brought together world leaders and international partners to strengthen political momentum towards halting and reversing deforestation by 2030. It also focused on mobilising and putting into operation the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), launched in Belém during COP30.
“Forests are not an obstacle to development. They are the foundation of our future. For Indonesia, protecting forests means protecting our people, water and food security, and national resilience,” Hashim said.
He praised Brazil and Norway for their leadership in advancing international forest cooperation, including through the TFFF. Tropical forest countries provide global public goods, he said, and their conservation responsibilities should be matched by fair, predictable and long-term international financing.
As a member of the TFFF Council, Indonesia will advocate fair and transparent arrangements, respect for national priorities and tangible benefits for local communities. Funding mechanisms should also recognise reliable national forest monitoring systems, Hashim said.
He reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to investing in the facility and encouraged more partners to join. Private investment and high-integrity forest carbon markets could also contribute, he added, but should complement rather than replace public financing and the responsibilities of developed countries.
Domestically, Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 agenda combines forest protection, sustainable forest management and the restoration of degraded forests, peatlands and mangroves. The country aims to protect primary forests while improving productivity on existing and degraded land.
Indonesia is also expanding its Social Forestry programme. More than 8.3 million hectares have been allocated for community management, benefiting approximately 1.4 million households.
“This is how forest protection supports jobs, livelihoods and the dignity of communities,” Hashim said.
He also announced that Indonesia would formally declare its participation in the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) at the Indonesian Pavilion on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Through the partnership, Indonesia intends to share experience in forest management, Social Forestry and restoration while expanding cooperation on financing, credible carbon markets and sustainable livelihoods to support the 2030 forest targets.
Indonesia also welcomed the United Nations Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation, which aligns with the country’s Sustainable Forest Management agenda for 2027–2036. Hashim said restoration efforts should be guided by science, protect natural ecosystems and respond to community needs, with long-term financing and management.
As a signatory to the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment (ILTC), Indonesia will continue strengthening Social Forestry, recognising customary forests and resolving land tenure issues in accordance with national law.
“Communities must be partners in protecting the forests on which their livelihoods depend,” Hashim said.
He said the TFFF, FCLP and ILTC could collectively connect financing, forest protection, restoration and community rights.
“Success should not be measured by new announcements, but by forests preserved, empowered communities and financing that actually reaches the ground,” he said. (*)
