Indonesia and Japan Deepen Cooperation on Tropical Forests and Carbon Investment

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Japan are strengthening their partnership in sustainable forestry, with a renewed focus on tropical forest management, mangrove conservation, and carbon market investment.

During a bilateral meeting in Tokyo, Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni and Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), Suzuki Norikazu, discussed joint initiatives aimed at tackling climate change through nature-based solutions.

The talks were part of President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Japan, underscoring the broader effort to enhance bilateral ties.

Minister Raja Juli Antoni praised the long-standing collaboration between the two nations, particularly through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) projects in Indonesia’s forestry sector.

He emphasized that such cooperation provides a strong foundation for advancing sustainable forest management and addressing global climate challenges, Antara reported.

One key agenda item was the World Mangrove Center initiative, which Indonesia hopes will serve as a global hub for rehabilitation, research, education, and innovation in mangrove ecosystems.

Minister Raja Juli encouraged Japanese private sector participation in Indonesia’s voluntary carbon market, especially through afforestation and reforestation projects, including in national parks.

This aligns with Indonesia’s new regulatory framework under Presidential Regulation No. 110/2025 on Carbon Economic Value and greenhouse gas emission control.

Japan, in turn, reaffirmed Indonesia’s role as a strategic partner in forestry. Minister Suzuki Norikazu announced that MAFF will dispatch two experts in April 2026 to support JICA-led mangrove management projects in Indonesia.

He also expressed interest in advancing the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in the forestry sector, reinforcing both countries’ commitment to climate mitigation.

The meeting highlighted a shared determination to expand strategic cooperation in forestry while contributing meaningfully to global climate action through sustainable, nature-based solutions. ***