Minister: Forests Must Become a New Engine of Green Growth
The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, has reaffirmed that the government continues to strengthen the direction of forestry development, placing forest sustainability as a priority in line with efforts to promote sustainable national development.
This was stated by Raja Juli Antoni during the opening of the Socialisation of the Second Revision of the National Forestry Plan (RKT_TN) 2011–2030 at the Ministry of Forestry Office on Tuesday, 7 July 2026.
According to him, the RKTN document serves as a vital guideline in directing the management of forest areas in Indonesia to maintain a balance between environmental preservation, development, and community welfare.
Raja Juli Antoni noted that the next challenge is no longer about drafting plans, but rather ensuring that all designed programmes can be implemented consistently.
“The most important thing now regarding a plan is its execution. How we can be consistent and remain steadfast in following what we have already planned,” said Raja Juli Antoni.
He explained that the preparation of the RKTN revision involves various ministries, agencies, and local governments. This step is taken to align the direction of national forestry policy with the government’s development vision.
According to Raja Juli Antoni, the RKTN also serves as an instrument to implement the directives of President Prabowo Subianto, ensuring that national development proceeds alongside environmental conservation efforts.
“Forests must remain sustainable; they are mandatory to preserve. The primary responsibility of this ministry is to safeguard forests for the future of this nation and even the world. At the same time, development must not stop. We need growth, we need job creation. But how do we then encourage green growth? How can our forests become a new engine of growth, becoming a new economic growth engine through a new pattern, namely green growth,” he said.
In addition to strengthening forestry governance, the government is also continuing to develop various new instruments in forest management, one of which is through carbon trading. This policy is expected to maintain the sustainability of forest areas while providing benefits to the communities living around them.
In his closing remarks, Raja Juli Antoni called upon all stakeholders to maintain consistency in executing the established plans so that the objectives of forestry development can be achieved.