RRI.CO.ID, Busan - The Indonesian government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the protection of Indonesia's Natural World Heritage Sites during the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session held in Busan, South Korea. In the forum, Indonesia focused the discussion on two world heritage sites, namely Lorentz National Park and the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (TRHS).

The Indonesian delegation was led by the Director of Socio-Cultural Affairs and Strategic Partnerships of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ary Aprianto, involving the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Culture, the Indonesian Representative in South Korea and UNESCO, as well as experts related to TRHS. Indonesia's participation in this session is part of conservation diplomacy to ensure the protection of areas with Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), in line with the government's efforts to strengthen biodiversity conservation and sustainable area management.

In the discussion of Lorentz National Park, Indonesia stated that it has completed the Management Plan for Lorentz National Park for the period 2021–2030 and is committed to ensuring that all development activities in the area continue to comply with World Heritage provisions, including thru the implementation of impact assessments in the area.

"The Indonesian government reaffirms its commitment to protecting and preserving the Outstanding Universal Value of Lorentz National Park. We have completed the Management Plan for the period 2021–2030 and are committed to ensuring that all development in the area complies with World Heritage requirements, including guidelines for conducting impact assessments in the context of World Heritage," Ary Aprianto said in a written statement on Sunday, July, 26 2026.

The government also reported progress in ecosystem rehabilitation at Lorentz National Park by involving local communities. Throughout 2024, the rehabilitation target of approximately 120 hectares was successfully achieved, bringing the cumulative total to around 325 hectares or 64 percent of the total area requiring rehabilitation.

Director of Conservation Area Sapto Aji Prabowo, who conveyed Indonesia's position regarding TRHS in the World Heritage Committee Session, emphasized that the strengthening of area protection continues to be carried out together with the community and various partners.

"Indonesia continues to work closely with local communities and partners to strengthen the protection and management of TRHS. All our steps remain guided by the World Heritage Convention, Operational Guidelines, and Committee decisions, including the obligation to conduct adequate impact assessments on activities that may affect the area," he said.

Indonesia is also preparing an IUCN evaluation mission for the SBM TRHS proposal scheduled to take place from October 20–28, 2026. Thru conservation diplomacy at international forums, the government hopes that strengthening the protection of Lorentz and the tropical rainforests of Sumatra can support biodiversity preservation, climate action, and sustainable area management.