Hashim Leads Task Force for National Park Financing

The Indonesian government has officially formed the Task Force for Innovative Financing of National Parks and Iconic Species Conservation. Presidential Special Envoy for Climate Change and Energy, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, has been appointed as Chairman of the Task Force. The Task Force for Innovative Financing of National Parks was established through Presidential Regulation No. 8 of 2026. This step was marked by a meeting with representatives from the UK Government in Jakarta on Tuesday (21/4). Citing a press release from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), the government is strengthening strategic partnerships with the UK for innovative financing of these national parks. Hashim led the meeting. The brother of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was accompanied by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the Task Force. From the UK side, attendees included the UK’s Special Representative for Nature, Ruth Davis; the British Ambassador to Indonesia, Dominic Jermey; and the Executive Director/CEO of WWF-Indonesia, Aditya Bayunanda. Hashim stated, “The UK Government has allocated £2 million to support this initiative, while Indonesia has allocated $120 million from the state budget for Way Kambas National Park. This is a real commitment amid global financial pressures.” In the same press release, Davis said Indonesia is demonstrating real global leadership through the establishment of this Presidential Task Force to strengthen funding, governance, and protection of national parks. “This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both countries to protecting nature and biodiversity, in line with the UK-Indonesia Strategic Partnership. Building on the existing cooperation through the Peusangan Elephant Conservation Initiative (PECI), the UK is proud to support this new Task Force by sharing technical expertise and initial implementation of high-integrity financing approaches,” she said. Furthermore, she mentioned that the partnership will connect Indonesia’s priorities with philanthropic funding and the private sector, including in London. “With strong public governance, clear protection, and a commitment to comprehensive regulatory reform, this Presidential Task Force has the potential to position Indonesia as a global benchmark in protecting and sustaining vital natural assets,” Davis stated. Komodo NP, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru NP, and Rinjani NP In the same press release, Raja Juli Antoni said Indonesia has 57 national parks covering 18 million hectares. Currently, he added, conservation funding needs must be optimised and new innovations sought because financing has always come from the centre (as a cost centre). To this end, he said the government will transform national park management to be more independent, one mechanism being through Public Service Agencies (BLU). This is one of five transformation schemes proposed by the KLHK. First, changing the status of national parks to BLU so that generated revenues can be managed independently and professionally. Raja Juli said Komodo NP, Bromo Tengger Semeru NP, and Mount Rinjani NP will be pilot projects for the initial phase. Second, strengthening the capacity development of national park management, including bolstering the Forest Police. Third, strengthening the role of financing institutions through the IBiofund (Indonesia Biodiversity Fund) managed by the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH). Fourth, community participation and benefit sharing. And fifth, protection of wildlife corridors and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM).