Enviro News Asia, New York — Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni conducted an official visit to Bronx Zoo, United States, on Tuesday (13/5/2026) to strengthen international cooperation in biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management.
The visit was accompanied by Indonesia’s Consul General in New York, Winanto Adi, and Head of the Bureau of Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation, Ristianto Pribadi.
During the visit, the Indonesian delegation held a meeting with Robert G. Menzi and senior executives of the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York. The meeting resulted in the signing of a Joint Statement aimed at strengthening long-term partnerships in biodiversity conservation and national park management in Indonesia.
The Joint Statement supports the establishment of Indonesia’s Task Force on Innovative Financing for National Parks, which aims to promote effective, resilient, and financially sustainable management of conservation areas.
Under the partnership framework, WCS will continue providing technical and institutional support to four pilot national parks in Indonesia: Way Kambas National Park, Wakatobi National Park, Manusela National Park, and Gunung Leuser National Park. These protected areas are recognized for their unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity that provide essential environmental services to surrounding communities.
The statement also highlighted the role of the Indonesia Biodiversity Fund (IBioFund) as a financing mechanism to support the vision of the Task Force. Through this role, IBioFund is expected to channel more measurable and sustainable conservation financing to strengthen national park management while reducing long-term dependence on annual state budget allocations.
As part of the visit, the Indonesian delegation toured Bronx Zoo, which is managed by WCS, to observe firsthand the integration of conservation, scientific research, public education, community empowerment, and the connection between ex-situ and in-situ conservation approaches in supporting wildlife recovery in natural habitats.
Minister Raja Juli Antoni emphasized that Indonesia’s forests and biodiversity are strategic national assets with vital roles in environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and community livelihoods.
“Indonesia’s forests and biodiversity are strategic national assets that play a vital role in environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and people’s livelihoods. Through this collaboration, Indonesia aims to strengthen concrete conservation measures that support sustainable development and national interests,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Robert G. Menzi expressed appreciation for the long-standing partnership between WCS and Indonesia.
“WCS highly values its long-term partnership with Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry and looks forward to expanding cooperation in Indonesia. Together, we aim to advance conservation initiatives that deliver tangible impacts for forest resilience, wildlife protection, and long-term environmental sustainability,” he stated.
The visit reflected the strong commitment of both the Indonesian Government and WCS to advancing innovative, inclusive, and sustainable conservation solutions for protecting Indonesia’s globally significant biodiversity. (*)
