Indonesia Urges ASEAN's Green Diplomacy Thru Methane Mitigation Project

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry/Environmental Protection Agency (KLH/BPLH) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) officially launched the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation (AKCMM) project. It took place in Jakarta on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Thru this program, Indonesia becomes the third country in ASEAN to implement the methane mitigation project after Malaysia and the Philippines. The Minister of the Environment/Head of the BPLH, Moh Jumhur Hidayat, said that the management of organic waste has now become a priority in the national climate action agenda.

According to him, around 63 percent of waste in landfills (TPA) consists of organic materials that have the potential to produce methane emissions equivalent to 21 million tons of CO₂. "Waste management is not just a matter of cleanliness, but a crucial pillar in our climate action. Thru the AKCMM project, Indonesia is committed to connecting practical solutions on the ground with ambitious methane emission reduction targets," Jumhur said.

AKCMM is a three-year cooperation program worth 20 million USD under the Partnership for ASEAN-ROK Methane Action (PARMA) scheme, supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea thru the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF). This program focuses on strengthening policies, enhancing technical capacities, developing emission monitoring systems, and financing sustainable waste management projects.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Mission to ASEAN, LEE Chul, highlighted that this cooperation is a form of regional solidarity in curbing the pace of global warming. According to him, methane mitigation is the most effective intervention to provide a short-term impact on the world's climate.

"The Republic of Korea is proud to partner with Indonesia and ASEAN thru the AKCF. Methane mitigation is one of the strategic efforts to slow down global warming," LEE Chul stated.

The implementation of the AKCMM will later be coordinated thru the National Working Forum (FKN) and will support the RPJMN 2025–2029 targets. The government views this program as simultaneously strengthening Indonesia's position in green diplomacy and climate change cooperation in the Southeast Asian region.