Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Forestry, Rohmat Marzuki, met with representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to discuss strengthening cooperation in sustainable mangrove ecosystem management and climate resilience.
The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the High-Level Tropical Forest Summit at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30 UNFCCC) in Belém, Brazil, on Tuesday (November 11, 2025).
During the meeting, both sides reviewed progress on joint projects supported by JICA and discussed the final steps toward implementation. Vice Minister Rohmat expressed appreciation for Japan’s ongoing commitment to supporting Indonesia’s science-based and inclusive mangrove management.
“We greatly value JICA’s flexibility and support in ensuring a smooth institutional transition, while maintaining alignment with our shared vision of building coastal ecosystems that are resilient to climate change,” he said.
In line with recent government institutional restructuring, the Ministry of Forestry now serves as the primary implementing agency for the cooperation project. Both parties have revised the Record of Discussion (RoD) signed in 2024 to reflect the new institutional framework and a more efficient project design.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening the Mangrove Information Center (MIC) as a key component of Indonesia’s contribution to the World Mangrove Center (WMC) framework. The Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed its commitment to positioning the MIC not only as a national learning hub, but also as a regional and global knowledge-sharing platform.
“Our goal is to establish the MIC as a global knowledge center that showcases best practices, scientific data, and policy innovations from around the world,” Rohmat explained.
The Ministry of Forestry is currently preparing technical measures to ensure the MIC’s operational readiness, including upgrading facilities, deploying expert personnel, and enhancing inter-ministerial coordination. The MIC facility is also in the process of being transferred from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) to the Ministry of Forestry.
Vice Minister Rohmat emphasized that this collaboration will further strengthen Indonesia’s position as a global leader in mangrove conservation and climate change mitigation.
“We look forward to JICA’s continued support in enhancing the MIC’s capacity to operate effectively within the World Mangrove Center network,” he added.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Rohmat reaffirmed the Indonesian government’s deep appreciation for JICA’s long-term partnership in the forestry sector.
“This project will serve as a tangible example of how mangrove management can enhance ecosystem resilience while supporting sustainable development,” he concluded.
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