Enviro News Asia, Belém — Indonesia reaffirmed its global leadership in tropical peatland governance by advancing the operationalization of the International Tropical Peatland Centre (ITPC) during a high-level dialogue at the Indonesia Pavilion at COP30 Belém. The meeting brought together founding countries—Indonesia, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—to unite efforts in protecting, conserving, and restoring tropical peatlands.
Indonesia emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Brazzaville Declaration 2018, which positions tropical peatland protection as a shared global priority. Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, stressed that safeguarding peatlands is not only an ecological responsibility but a moral duty for future generations.
“Peatlands are one of the world’s most powerful natural carbon reservoirs. Protecting them is not merely an ecological obligation but a moral imperative that demands urgency, unity, and long-term commitment,” Minister Hanif affirmed.
As one of the world’s largest tropical peatland holders, Indonesia showcased significant progress, including 4.15 million hectares restored, 35,500 canal blocks constructed, 10,100 hydrological monitoring points installed, and strengthened community programs under the Village Peat Care Initiative (DMPG). These accomplishments stem from governance reforms within KLH/BPLH and close collaboration with local communities and the private sector.
Indonesia has operationalized the Interim ITPC Secretariat in Jakarta, finalized key institutional documents—including the Establishment Agreement and Host Country Agreement—and expanded partnerships with UNEP, CIFOR, FAO, GIZ, and IFAD to strengthen ITPC’s technical and financial readiness.
During the COP30 dialogue, Indonesia outlined three priority actions to accelerate ITPC implementation:
- Strengthening the Interim Secretariat in Jakarta.
- Completing institutional and governance frameworks.
- Expanding international partnerships to bolster capacity and funding.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo expressed strong support for this direction. Its Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and New Climate Economy, Marie Nyange Ndambo, emphasized the global significance of peatlands in regulating climate systems.
“Countries with extensive forests and peatlands hold a shared responsibility to unite and protect these landscapes—for our people and for the world,” she stated, encouraging more tropical peatland nations to join ITPC as a collective global force.
Indonesia believes ITPC will evolve into a central hub for science-based climate action, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and coordinated financing for tropical peatland restoration. Once legal and institutional frameworks are finalized, ITPC will enter a six-month implementation phase focusing on strengthening technical capacity, consolidating cooperation among tropical nations, and developing science-driven policies.
With strong political commitment and expanding global partnerships, Indonesia aims to ensure that ITPC becomes an effective, sustainable, and impactful global institution for protecting tropical peatlands while reinforcing Indonesia’s contribution to global climate mitigation. (*)
