Indonesia reaffirms forest pledge at UN forum in New York
Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable forest management at the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests in New York, underscoring forest governance as central to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and long-term economic resilience.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni said on Tuesday that the government, under President Prabowo Subianto, is strengthening forest governance as an integral pillar of Indonesia’s national development agenda and contribution to global climate mitigation efforts.
“Under the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia continues to strengthen forest governance as an inseparable part of global climate action. Forests are not merely resources but the foundation for the sustainability of future generations and the nation’s economic resilience,” Raja said in a statement received in Jakarta.
He said Indonesia’s participation in the annual UN forum provides a strategic platform to showcase the country’s progress in preserving national forest cover and promoting inclusive and accountable forest governance to the international community.
The minister said sustainable forest management remains central to Indonesia’s policies, covering climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, economic resilience, and broader sustainable development goals.
Raja added that Indonesia seeks to balance forest ecosystem protection with efforts to improve the welfare of communities living in and around forest areas.
The 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests, held at UN headquarters in New York from May 11 to 15, 2026, brings together member states to strengthen political commitment and international cooperation on global forest governance.
Director General of Sustainable Forest Management at the Ministry of Forestry Laksmi Wijayanti said Raja’s presence at the high-level meeting highlighted Indonesia’s strategic role as one of the world’s largest tropical forest nations.
“The presence of the Minister of Forestry in New York underscores Indonesia’s strategic position as one of the world’s largest tropical forest nations, consistently standing at the forefront of nature-based solutions to climate change,” Laksmi said.
Indonesia has consistently positioned forest governance as a key component of its climate diplomacy as the government seeks to expand conservation efforts while supporting sustainable livelihoods and economic development in forest-dependent regions.
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Translator: Arnidhya Nur Zhafira, Martha Herlinawati Simanjunt