Enviro News Asia, Surabaya – The Ministry of Forestry is strengthening the capacity and strategic role of its Government Internal Supervisory Apparatus (APIP) to address increasingly complex governance challenges, technological developments, and emerging organizational risks.
The initiative was demonstrated through the participation of the Ministry’s Inspectorate General in the 2026 National Conference of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Indonesia, held in Surabaya on 19–20 August 2026.
The conference, themed “Beyond Assurance: From Compliance to Confidence,” emphasized the transformation of internal audit from a function focused primarily on regulatory compliance into a strategic partner capable of providing value-added recommendations, anticipating risks, and strengthening confidence in organizational decision-making.
The Ministry of Forestry’s Inspector II, Inspector III, and Secretary of the Inspectorate General attended the conference to broaden their knowledge and strengthen the professional competencies of APIP in responding to changing strategic environments, digital transformation, and increasingly dynamic oversight requirements.
Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry’s Inspectorate General, Joko Yunianto, said the transformation of internal oversight was essential to ensure that audit functions could make a greater contribution to organizational objectives. Strengthening APIP capacity is also expected to support more transparent, accountable, adaptive, and results-oriented governance within the Ministry.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for the internal audit profession were among the key issues discussed during the conference.
The adoption of AI and other digital technologies enables auditors to analyze larger volumes of data, identify patterns and anomalies, and conduct risk assessments more efficiently. At the same time, auditors must develop new competencies in areas such as AI governance, data security, technology ethics, and risks associated with AI adoption.
These developments are particularly relevant to the Ministry of Forestry as forestry governance becomes increasingly data-driven and digital. Internal auditors must therefore keep pace with technological transformation to provide effective assurance over business processes and data-based decision-making.
The strengthening of APIP is not solely intended to improve internal organizational oversight. A more professional, adaptive, and technology-oriented audit function is also expected to enhance public confidence in forestry governance and ensure that government policies and programs are implemented responsibly.
Through stronger internal oversight, the Ministry of Forestry aims to support effective governance while ensuring that forestry policies and programs provide meaningful benefits for communities and contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of Indonesia’s forests. (*)
