The Government of Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to national wetland conservation through multi-stakeholder collaboration during the commemoration of World Wetlands Day 2026, held in North Kalimantan. The event served as a strategic platform to advance sustainable mangrove management and rehabilitation as part of broader efforts to protect coastal ecosystems and achieve national climate targets.
The Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, Raja Juli Antoni, together with the Governor of North Kalimantan, Zainal A. Paliwang, and representatives from ministries and agencies, international organizations, regional governments, and the private sector, attended the commemoration at the Mangrove and Proboscis Monkey Conservation Area (KKMB) in Tarakan on Friday (6/2/2026).
On the occasion, stakeholders signed a collaborative commitment for mangrove management and rehabilitation in North Kalimantan.
North Kalimantan was designated as the national host location in recognition of its strategic role in safeguarding Indonesia’s wetland ecosystems. The province is home to approximately 326,396 hectares of mangrove forests and 347,451 hectares of peatlands, which function as carbon sinks, biodiversity habitats, and natural coastal defenses against abrasion and extreme weather. These ecosystems also support the livelihoods of coastal communities and contribute to food security.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni emphasized that wetlands hold inseparable ecological and economic value.
“I hope wetlands will not merely be perceived as waterlogged areas, but as ecosystems with high biodiversity, significant economic value, and immense carbon sequestration capacity,” he stated.
During the event, the Minister witnessed the signing of a multi-stakeholder declaration involving the Ministry of Forestry, the Provincial Government of North Kalimantan, development partners of the Mangroves for Coastal Resilience (M4CR) Program, Forest Programme VI, and the NASCLIM Program represented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), as well as private sector support from PT Pertamina FP Tarakan Field and PT Mustika Minanusa Aurora Tbk. The declaration underscores a coordinated action plan for mangrove conservation and rehabilitation across North Kalimantan.
The M4CR and NASCLIM programs, coordinated by the Ministry of Forestry, collaborate with regional governments and local communities to restore degraded mangroves through replanting, natural regeneration, and strengthening the economic resilience of coastal communities. This collaboration integrates government policy, community participation, climate financing, and corporate responsibility.
Director General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation, Dyah Murtiningsih, explained that the commemoration of World Wetlands Day 2026 carries a global theme highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge in sustaining wetlands.
“Knowledge passed down through generations plays a vital role in preserving wetlands, and Indonesia possesses strong experience in managing these ecosystems,” she remarked.
At the conclusion of the event, the Minister of Forestry conducted a field visit to the KKMB Tarakan area, observing the habitat of the proboscis monkey and community-led conservation efforts. The visit reaffirmed KKMB’s role as a living laboratory for education, research, and community empowerment in sustainable wetland management.
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