Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation on sustainable forest management and climate change mitigation during the 22nd ASEAN Working Group on Forest and Climate Change (AWG-FCC) Meeting, held virtually with Philippines as the host on 21 April 2026.
The Indonesian delegation, acting as the lead country, was headed by Wening Sri Wulandari, Head of the Center for Development of Mitigation and Adaptation to Hydrometeorological Disasters at the Ministry of Forestry. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships among ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat to advance coordinated and effective climate action.
Wening highlighted that forests play a crucial role in addressing climate change by acting as carbon sinks, preserving biodiversity, ensuring water and food security, and supporting livelihoods. She stressed that sustainable forest management is essential to enhance resilience against climate-related risks such as extreme weather events, water scarcity, and environmental degradation.
During the meeting, Indonesia presented updates on the outcomes of COP30 and preparations for COP31. As the lead country, Indonesia also introduced the draft Plan of Action (POA) 2026–2030, a strategic regional framework designed to guide ASEAN cooperation on climate change. The document builds on the achievements of the previous POA 2021–2025 and aligns with the Food, Agriculture, and Forestry Sectoral Plan (FAFSP) 2026–2030.
Each ASEAN member state shared progress reports on national initiatives related to forestry and climate change. Indonesia underscored the need for sustained efforts in advancing national commitments on mitigation and adaptation, while also proposing stronger regional collaboration. Key recommendations included enhancing policy frameworks, strengthening cooperation on climate security and justice, and building capacity in climate diplomacy.
The meeting concluded with presentations from development partners on programs supporting forest and climate initiatives. Indonesia’s delegation included representatives from multiple units within the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Environment, reflecting a whole-of-government approach to climate governance. (*)
