RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and South Korea have deepened their strategic partnership in forestry, with a strong emphasis on sustainable forest management and tackling forest fires.

The collaboration was formalized through the signing of two cooperation documents by Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni and Korean Forestry Service (KFS) Minister Park Eunsik in Seoul on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Minister Raja Juli described the agreement as part of Indonesia’s “green diplomacy” during President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to South Korea.

“The signing of this cooperation between the Ministry of Forestry and KFS is a form of green diplomacy, strengthening bilateral ties while advancing strategic collaboration in forestry,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

The first document, the Framework Arrangement on Cooperation on Priority Program in Forestry, serves as an umbrella for joint initiatives in climate change mitigation through forestry. It covers sustainable forest management, mangrove and peatland rehabilitation, ecotourism development, social forestry, and strengthening forest carbon markets.

“This framework supports our efforts to address climate change through forestry, including sustainable management and carbon market development,” Minister Raja Juli explained.

The second document is a memorandum of understanding on Forest Fire Management and Post-Fire Recovery, which focuses on prevention, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation. “This includes the use of satellite-based monitoring and strengthening human resource capacity,” Minister Raja Juli noted.

Minister Park emphasized Indonesia’s importance as Korea’s most strategic forestry partner. He pointed out that Korea’s only overseas forestry representation is based at its embassy in Jakarta, underscoring the priority placed on cooperation with Indonesia.

KFS also announced plans to launch a forest fire monitoring satellite in September 2026, capable of real-time observation covering up to 55 percent of Indonesia’s territory.

Minister Raja Juli welcomed the initiative, expressing confidence that the partnership would significantly improve Indonesia’s preparedness against forest and land fires, particularly with the projected El Niño phenomenon in June 2026.

Both countries agreed to implement the cooperation through knowledge and technology exchanges, joint projects, training programs, and institutional networking under a Joint Consultation Committee mechanism.

This strengthened partnership highlights Indonesia and South Korea’s shared commitment to sustainable forestry and climate resilience, while reinforcing bilateral ties through practical, technology-driven solutions. ***