Enviro News Asia, Shenzhen – Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to combating illegal logging, promoting legal forest product trade, and strengthening sustainable forest governance during the 30th Meeting of the APEC Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT), held in Shenzhen, China, on July 29–30, 2026.
The Indonesian delegation was led by Krisdianto, Director of Forest Product Fees and Administration at the Ministry of Forestry. The EGILAT meeting serves as APEC’s technical forum for forestry officials to enhance regional cooperation in addressing illegal logging, promoting legal timber trade, and advancing sustainable forest governance across the Asia-Pacific region.
During the information-sharing session, Indonesia emphasized its continued commitment to supporting EGILAT’s core objectives through stronger enforcement against illegal logging and the promotion of legal forest product trade. Indonesia also proposed that Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) be included as a strategic agenda within EGILAT, highlighting their potential to strengthen local livelihoods while supporting sustainable forest management.
The delegation also presented updates on the implementation of the Timber Legality Guidance Template (TLGT). Indonesia is currently harmonizing its regulations to further strengthen its timber legality verification and sustainability system, ensuring greater alignment with evolving international standards while maintaining the integrity of its national timber legality framework.
Indonesia further expressed appreciation for the continued support provided by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) in advancing sustainable forest management initiatives across the country. At the same session, Indonesia introduced several new cooperation proposals aimed at strengthening forest governance, legal timber supply chains, and social forestry programs.
The Ministry of Forestry also highlighted progress in its partnership with the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The collaboration focuses on developing joint guidelines, implementing pilot projects, and enhancing synergy between voluntary forest certification schemes and Indonesia’s Timber Legality and Sustainability Verification System (SVLK).
“Indonesia’s participation in EGILAT reflects the Government’s strong commitment to strengthening transparent, accountable, and sustainable forest governance while expanding international cooperation to promote legal and competitive forest product trade,” Krisdianto said.
He noted that the initiative aligns with Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni’s directive to accelerate forestry governance reform by strengthening timber legality, expanding the development of non-timber forest products, and increasing community-based economic value. These policies form part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to promote sustainable forest management, improve the competitiveness of Indonesian forest products in international markets, and contribute to global efforts to conserve forests and address climate change.
Through the APEC EGILAT forum, Indonesia expressed its hope that cooperation among APEC member economies would continue to grow stronger in promoting forest governance that protects forest ecosystems while generating sustainable economic benefits for local communities. (*)
