Enviro News Asia, Ogan Komering Ilir — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has launched a Basic Training on Forest Fire Suppression in Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), South Sumatra, as part of efforts to strengthen preparedness against forest and land fires (karhutla) during the 2026 dry season. The three-day training, which began on 8 June, is being conducted through the Directorate of Forest Fire Control and the Bureau of Public Relations and International Cooperation.
Head of the Bureau of Public Relations and International Cooperation, Ristianto Pribadi, said sustainable forest management requires strong collaboration among governments, international partners, and the private sector.
“This initiative reflects cross-border and cross-sector cooperation designed to strengthen fire prevention capacity at the source, particularly in concession areas,” he said.
According to Ristianto, the training represents the implementation of a strategic partnership between Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry and the Korea Forest Service (KFS). Under the Memorandum of Understanding on Forest Fire Management and Post-Fire Restoration Cooperation, both countries have committed to enhancing prevention, preparedness, rapid response, and post-fire restoration efforts.
Representing the Director of Forest Fire Control, Head of the Forest Fire Prevention Sub-Directorate, M. Hariyanto, emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He noted that the country’s independently achieved emissions reduction target has increased from 41 percent to 43 percent, in line with the Forest and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 agenda.
Hariyanto described the training as a long-term preventive measure and an opportunity to introduce the new Forest and Land Fire Management Center being developed in OKI through cooperation between KFS and the Ministry of Forestry.
The facility is expected to serve as a modern learning center that will support capacity building not only for ministry personnel but also for local governments, communities, and private sector actors.
International cooperation has become a key pillar in strengthening fire prevention efforts. Co-Director of the Korea-Indonesia Forest Cooperation Center (KIFC), Jeong Cheol Ho, said the center has spent the past five years helping establish a forest fire management system in OKI with support from the Korea Forest Service.
Private sector representatives also welcomed the initiative. Kong Byoung Sun of POSCO International Indonesia said the program demonstrates the close bilateral relationship between Indonesia and South Korea and helps accelerate knowledge transfer through Manggala Agni, Indonesia’s forest fire brigade.
The training is organized by Manggala Agni Operational Area XVII OKI with support from KIFC and involves 25 internal firefighting personnel from PT Prime Agri Resources (PT PAR) and PT Bio Inti Agrindo (PT BIA), two subsidiaries of POSCO International operating in agribusiness and palm oil plantations.
Participants are expected to enhance their readiness to respond rapidly to fire incidents and strengthen coordination in the field, contributing to more effective forest and land fire mitigation efforts. (*)
