RRI.CO.ID Jakarta - Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening global forest governance. This commitment is reflected in promoting legal and sustainable forest product trade, and in inviting APEC member economies to enhance mangrove conservation through the World Mangrove Centre.

This statement raise on APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry in Shenzhen, China, this, 28th July 2026. This step aligns with the policy direction of the Ministry of Forestry under Minister Raja Juli Antoni.

Indonesia aims to be more active in international forums to boost the competitiveness of legal and sustainable forest products, expand global collaboration, and support climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and the green economy.

At the 2026 APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry in Shenzhen, Indonesia was represented by Laksmi Wijayanti, Director General of Sustainable Forest Management. Under the theme "Building a Green Asia-Pacific for Shared Ecological Well-being", the meeting focused on sustainable forest management, green economic growth, community welfare, and the use of innovation and technology for regional resilience.

Laksmi highlighted that Indonesia has a strong foundation through the Timber Legality and Sustainability Verification System, or SVLK. Internationally recognized, SVLK ensures the legality of forest products, builds market trust, and facilitates sustainable timber trade. “SVLK shows that sustainability is not just an environmental commitment, but also the foundation for credible trade and a trusted green supply chain,” she said.

Beyond law enforcement, Indonesia is pushing a new approach by developing Non-Timber Forest Products, or NTFPs, as an economic source for forest communities. According to Laksmi, when forests generate economic value without being cut down, communities have greater incentives to protect them. This is the transformation that needs to be built together across the Asia-Pacific.

Indonesia also emphasized the importance of mangrove protection. As home to about 23 percent of the world’s mangroves, Indonesia called on APEC to strengthen cooperation through the World Mangrove Center. The WMC serves as a global platform bringing together governments, researchers, international organizations, and civil society to advance research, innovation, and mangrove restoration. “The WMC does not belong only to Indonesia. It is a shared platform for all of us,” Laksmi stated.

Indonesia’s participation in this forum underscores its role as a leader in the global forestry agenda. Through active diplomacy, the strengthening of SVLK, and collaborative initiatives like the WMC, Indonesia is committed not only to safeguarding the world’s tropical forests but also to driving real solutions for climate change, biodiversity loss, and a green economy for future generations.

Source : Ministry of Forestry/ www.kehutanan.go.id