Indonesia has stressed that forest protection is fundamental to national development and resilience, and must be backed by fair international financing and stronger community involvement.
The message was delivered by Presidential Special Envoy for Climate and Energy Hashim Djojohadikusumo at the COP31 Leaders’ Summit Event on Forests, held at the Akdeniz Plenary during the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31 UNFCCC) on Wednesday (11 November).
The forum brought together world leaders and international partners to discuss the role of forests in addressing climate change. It aimed to build political momentum towards the 2030 target of halting and reversing deforestation, while advancing the mobilisation and operationalisation of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), launched in Belém at COP30.
“Forests are not an obstacle to development. They are the foundation of our future. For Indonesia, protecting forests means protecting our people, water and food security, and national resilience,” Hashim said.
Hashim commended Brazil and Norway for their leadership in advancing forest cooperation, including through the TFFF. He noted that tropical forest countries provide global public goods and that this responsibility must be matched by international financing that is fair, predictable, and long-term.
As a member of the TFFF Board, Indonesia will advocate for fair and transparent arrangements, respect for national priorities, and tangible benefits for local communities. Financing mechanisms must also recognise reliable national monitoring systems.
Hashim reaffirmed Indonesia’s investment commitment to the TFFF and encouraged more partners to join the initiative. He added that private investment and high-integrity forest carbon markets could play a supporting role, but must complement rather than replace public financing and the responsibilities of developed countries.
On domestic efforts, Hashim explained that Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 agenda combines forest protection, sustainable forest management, and the restoration of degraded forests, peatlands, and mangroves. Indonesia is working to protect primary forests while improving productivity on existing and degraded land.
The country is also continuing to expand its Social Forestry programme. More than 8.3 million hectares of forest areas have been made accessible to communities for management, benefiting approximately 1.4 million households.
“This is how forest protection supports jobs, livelihoods, and the dignity of communities,” Hashim said.
At the forum, Hashim also announced that Indonesia would formally declare its participation in the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) at the Indonesia Pavilion on Thursday (12 November).
Through the partnership, Indonesia will share its experience in forest management, Social Forestry, and restoration, while expanding cooperation on financing, credible carbon markets, and sustainable livelihoods to help achieve the 2030 forest targets.
Indonesia also welcomed the UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation, in line with its Sustainable Forest Management agenda for 2027–2036. Hashim said restoration efforts must be guided by science, protect natural ecosystems, and address community needs, with long-term financing and management support.
As a signatory to the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment (ILTC), Indonesia will also continue strengthening Social Forestry, recognising customary forests, and resolving land tenure issues in accordance with national law.
“Communities must be partners in protecting the forests on which their livelihoods depend,” he stressed.
“Together, the TFFF, FCLP, and ILTC can connect financing, forest protection, restoration, and community rights. Our success must be measured not by new announcements, but by forests kept intact, empowered communities, and financing that actually reaches the ground,” Hashim concluded.
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