Indonesia explores bid to host COP 18 CBD 2028 conference

The Indonesian Government, through the Ministry of Environment, is exploring a bid to host the 18th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 18 CBD), scheduled for 2028. Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Jumhur Hidayat, stated in Jakarta on Friday that the candidacy plan has garnered support from various domestic and international stakeholders. “As one of the countries with the highest level of biodiversity in the world, Indonesia has great potential to develop conservation-based financing mechanisms that protect ecosystems while providing economic benefits,” said Minister Jumhur Hidayat. This strategic move towards global environmental diplomacy was discussed specifically by Minister Jumhur Hidayat during a meeting with Co-Chair of the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB), Dame Amelia Fawcett, in London on Thursday (25/6). Minister Jumhur Hidayat explained that biodiversity conservation in the country must go hand in hand with economic development, making sustainable green financing mechanisms crucial to implement. Responding to this major plan and commitment, IAPB Co-Chair Dame Amelia Fawcett assessed that Indonesia has a significant opportunity to become a leading country in managing global conservation financing instruments. Dame Amelia commended the establishment of a Task Force for the Development of Biodiversity Credits by the Ministry of Environment, which is tasked with preparing policy studies, drafting implementation schemes, and identifying pilot projects. To strengthen its bargaining position at the international level, Indonesia and the IAPB also agreed to enhance knowledge partnership cooperation and strengthen dialogue at the global forum of COP 17 CBD, which will be held in Yerevan, Armenia, in October 2026. “Indonesia’s initiative to become a pioneer in developing biodiversity credits in the Asian region and globally sends an important message about collaboration between countries and parties to enhance biodiversity conservation in the spirit of nature positive,” said Dame Amelia.