Indonesia and Japan Strengthen Conservation Cooperation, Promoting Sister Parks for National Parks

Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) is exploring the strengthening of cooperation on conservation area management with the Japanese Government through a sister park scheme. This step is part of efforts to promote world-class Indonesian national parks. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni held a meeting with Japanese representatives, including Shichimeko Shuici and Ikuo Yamada. The meeting discussed the potential for collaboration in managing national parks based on similarities in ecosystem characteristics. In the discussion, Kemenhut proposed sister park cooperation between Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and several Indonesian national parks, namely Kerinci Seblat National Park, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, and Gunung Rinjani National Park. “This cooperation is expected to be a strategic step in improving the quality of conservation area management through the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices in environmental protection and ecotourism development. In addition, this initiative is also aimed at strengthening the position of Indonesian national parks on the global stage,” stated Raja Juli in an official statement on Monday (30/3). The Japanese Government welcomed the plan positively and encouraged concrete follow-up through the organisation of technical workshops. This forum will be the initial stage to formulate a more implementative and sustainable cooperation framework. Previously, on 28 March 2029, Kemenhut had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Shizuoka Prefecture Government regarding the protection and conservation of wildlife, including the komodo (Varanus komodoensis) breeding loan programme. This series of cooperation is part of strengthening bilateral Indonesia-Japan relations in the environmental and forestry sector, while supporting the agenda of President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Japan. The Japanese Ministry of the Environment welcomed the proposal and encouraged concrete follow-up through the organisation of a technical workshop.