Indonesia Urges Regional Cooperation to Tackle Climate Crisis at ESCAP Forum

Indonesia is pushing for regional cooperation to confront the climate crisis at the 9th Committee on Environment and Development (CED9) session, organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand. Deputy Minister of Environment Diaz Hendropriyono led the Indonesian delegation at the ministerial-level forum, reinforcing the country’s active role in promoting regional collaboration to tackle climate change while accelerating sustainable development. “Environmental protection and economic development must go hand in hand. Only through stronger regional cooperation can we build a resilient and sustainable Asia-Pacific region,” Diaz stated in an official release in Jakarta on Saturday. He also stressed the importance of Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen the continuity between environmental protection and sustainable development through an integrated approach, including mangrove and peatland restoration, the development of circular economy and blue economy initiatives, strengthening sustainable water resource management, and enhancing community-based climate change adaptation. The CED9 session was attended by 52 ESCAP member states, with the presence of 11 ministers and deputy ministers from Bangladesh, Fiji, Maldives, Nepal, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Japan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, and Indonesia. The forum discussed various strategic issues, ranging from improving air quality and sustainable water resource management to strengthening policies that integrate environmental and development agendas. Indonesia also participated in an associated event titled “Accelerating Integrated Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific: Regional Cooperation for Blue Carbon Finance” on 2–3 July 2026. In that forum, a representative from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries presented Indonesia’s experience in developing blue carbon finance as an instrument to support climate action based on coastal and marine ecosystems. The Indonesian delegation, comprising elements from the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, utilised the series of forums to strengthen regional cooperation, promote integrated development policies, and share Indonesia’s experiences in environmental management and sustainable development. The CED9 session adopted two main documents, namely the Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific 2026 and the Regional Programme of Action on Advancing Synergies for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, which are expected to provide a common direction for strengthening environmental and sustainable development cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.