Ecobiz.asia — Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni reaffirmed President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to sustainable forest management during the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday (May 11, 2026) local time.
Indonesia was the first country invited to deliver its national statement at the forum. Addressing delegates from various countries, Raja Juli Antoni said sustainable forest management has become an integral part of Indonesia’s national agenda, encompassing climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, economic resilience, and sustainable development.
“Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia continues to strengthen forest governance as an inseparable part of global climate action. Forests are not merely resources, but the foundation for the sustainability of future generations and national economic resilience,” Raja Juli Antoni said.
According to the minister, Indonesia’s participation in UNFF21 serves as an important opportunity to showcase the country’s achievements in maintaining forest cover while promoting inclusive and accountable forest governance at the international level.
He also emphasized that forest ecosystem protection is being pursued alongside efforts to improve the welfare of communities living around forest areas.
Director General of Sustainable Forest Management at Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry Laksmi Wijayanti said Indonesia’s presence at the forum reflects the country’s strategic role as one of the world’s largest tropical forest nations.
“The presence of the Minister of Forestry in New York reaffirms Indonesia’s strategic position as one of the largest tropical forest countries that consistently stands at the forefront of nature-based climate solutions,” Laksmi said.
During the same series of meetings, the minister also highlighted Indonesia’s progress in controlling forest and land fires. He said the country had reduced the area affected by forest and land fires by 86 percent over the past decade through strengthened prevention systems, early warning mechanisms, law enforcement, and community-based approaches.
He added that the declining trend continued through 2024–2025, supported by stronger hotspot monitoring and rapid response measures on the ground.
However, the government remains alert to the risk of a prolonged dry season this year due to a projected low-to-moderate El Niño phenomenon expected to emerge in June 2026.
“This year we must be far more vigilant. The potential for a longer dry season due to El Niño requires heightened preparedness from all parties. I have instructed all relevant agencies and partners not to let their guard down and to intensify patrols and monitoring in fire-prone areas,” he said.
Raja Juli Antoni stressed that controlling forest and land fires requires collaboration among the government, local communities, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders.
“Collaboration and preparedness are key. We must ensure that forest and land fires continue to decline in order to protect forest sustainability and maintain healthy air quality for the public,” he said.
Caption photo: Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni delivers Indonesia’s statement during the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States, on Monday (May 11, 2026) local time.
