Indonesia, United Kingdom, and Partners Strengthen Land-to-Sea Conservation in Southwest Papua
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The governments of Indonesia and the United Kingdom, together with consortium partners, are strengthening ridge-to-reef conservation linking terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems in Southwest Papua.
According to a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the Ministry of Forestry, and consortium partners comprising the Darwin Initiative, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Indonesia, and the Indonesian Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN) held a series of meetings and field visits for the Darwin Initiative Extra-Ridge to Reef Conservation in Southwest Papua project, supported by the British Government, from 13 to 15 February 2026.
“Conservation areas will be effective if managed collaboratively. Community involvement, local government support, and development partners are key to maintaining the sustainability of marine resources, particularly in regions with high biodiversity such as the Bird’s Head Seascape,” said KKP Director of Ecosystem Conservation Firdaus Agung.
He noted that the activities conducted in Sorong City and Regency marked an important milestone in strengthening cross-sector collaboration through an integrated land-to-sea approach connecting terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
Southwest Papua Governor Elisa Kambu stated that the ridge-to-reef approach enables the provincial government to align environmental protection with development planning.
“Conservation is not an impediment to development; rather, it is the foundation for the welfare of the people of Southwest Papua,” said Elisa Kambu.
Southwest Papua and West Papua have conservation areas spanning 1.7 million hectares, which serve as home to various protected plant and wildlife species both within and outside conservation zones.
Andrea Ledward, International Biodiversity and Climate Director at the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), representing the British Government during her visit, stated that Southwest Papua is a critical region for implementing an integrated land and sea approach.
“Through the Darwin Extra Ridge-to-Reef Conservation project supported by the British Government, we are working with the Indonesian Government and local partners to strengthen the management of protected areas on land and at sea, whilst supporting the expansion of community-based conservation,” she said.
This approach, driven by leadership at the local level, she added, demonstrates how effective conservation governance and long-term financing for nature can benefit both biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities.
Previously, on Saturday 20 January, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto launched the new Indonesia-United Kingdom Strategic Partnership in London.
The cooperation between the two nations through the Darwin Extra Ridge-to-Reef Conservation project represents a tangible manifestation of this strategic partnership, transforming shared ambitions into real and sustainable impact on the ground.
Meanwhile, YKAN Executive Director Herlina Hartanto, noting the organisation’s role as an implementing partner for the marine component, emphasised the importance of communities as the primary actors in conservation.
“YKAN bridges policy, science, and practice in the field. In Malaumkarta, we accompany communities so they can utilise their customary systems, known as egek, in designing marine protection and utilisation zoning, and implement it effectively. Here, indigenous communities are the central figures in safeguarding the sea, with support from the government and development partners,” said Herlina Hartanto.