EduAsiaNews, Antalya Türkiye – The Indonesian government has announced the country’s accession to the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) at the Indonesia Pavilion during the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday (Nov. 12). The announcement was attended by Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the FCLP Secretariat director and leadership, as well as representatives of the partnership’s member countries.
Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki, representing the Indonesian government, expressed appreciation for the FCLP’s efforts to promote the role of forests as a key component of global climate action. On the occasion, a video message from Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni was also screened to mark Indonesia’s announcement of its participation in the partnership.
Rohmat said Indonesia had identified three areas of potential cooperation with the FCLP. The first is strengthening high-integrity forest carbon markets by linking credible demand with verified emissions reduction outcomes, supported by national authorization, transparency and safeguards against double counting.
The second is strengthening tenure security over forests and land, including the recognition of customary forests, while remaining consistent with Indonesia’s legal framework. International support is expected to be aligned with accountable national financing mechanisms.
The third is strengthening knowledge exchange through the International Tropical Peatland Center and the World Mangrove Center, including plans for technical sessions in 2027. Indonesia manages around 13 million hectares of tropical peatlands and 3.4 million hectares of mangroves. In cooperation on sustainable timber trade, Indonesia is also promoting recognition of credible systems such as the Timber Legality and Sustainability Verification System (SVLK).
“Practical cooperation, with national ownership as its foundation, can deliver long-term benefits for forests, communities and the climate,” Rohmat said. He added that relevant officials would follow up on communications with the FCLP Secretariat, particularly on peatlands, mangroves, tenure and forestry financing.
Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo welcomed the announcement as an important step. He said the significance of forests was increasingly being recognized, not only for climate change mitigation but also for biodiversity, rainfall patterns and agriculture.
“I would like to thank Indonesia for becoming part of the FCLP,” Jagdeo said. He also commended Indonesia’s role in supporting various international forestry initiatives.
Through its participation in the FCLP, Indonesia will continue dialogue with the Secretariat and member countries to translate cooperation priorities into concrete actions, while ensuring that national policies and interests remain the basis for implementation.
