Enviro News Asia, New York — Indonesian Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to biodiversity conservation during the 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday, May 11, 2026.
During the international forum, the minister highlighted two strategic national initiatives aimed at strengthening wildlife conservation and improving protected area management, in line with the policy direction of President Prabowo Subianto.
One of the key initiatives is the establishment of an Innovative Financing Task Force for National Parks and Iconic Species Conservation. The initiative is designed to strengthen the long-term management of Indonesia’s national parks through sustainable and innovative financing mechanisms. The scheme includes optimizing carbon economic value and strengthening ecotourism as supporting instruments for conservation efforts.
Raja Juli Antoni emphasized that future national park development in Indonesia must prioritize sustainability and ecological integrity. According to him, biodiversity protection and ecosystem preservation should remain the main priorities in any tourism-related policy within conservation areas.
“The main message we bring is ‘Ecological Before Tourism’. Ecological functions and biodiversity conservation must come first before discussing tourism development. Ecotourism should strengthen conservation, not undermine it,” he stated during the UNFF21 session.
The minister also invited international partners, donor institutions, and the global private sector to collaborate in supporting the new conservation financing mechanism. Through the task force, Indonesia aims to develop world-class national park management systems that can simultaneously enhance carbon absorption and protect endangered iconic species.
“We invite global partnerships to strengthen financing and technology transfer in national park management. Through international collaboration, we can ensure that Indonesia’s biodiversity is preserved for global ecological balance,” he added.
The Indonesian delegation attending the UNFF21 session also included senior forestry officials, including the Director General of Sustainable Forest Management and the Director General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation. (*)
