Ecobiz.asia — Indonesia’s Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki held a bilateral meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the sidelines of the Tropical Forests Summit in Belém, Brazil, on Tuesday (Nov. 11, 2025), to discuss strengthened cooperation on sustainable mangrove management and climate resilience.
The meeting reviewed progress and final preparations for a joint Indonesia–Japan project supported by JICA, aimed at enhancing mangrove ecosystem conservation and adaptive capacity to climate change.
“We deeply appreciate JICA’s continued support and flexibility in ensuring a smooth institutional transition and alignment with our shared vision for sustainable mangrove management and climate resilience,” Rohmat said.
Following Indonesia’s recent government restructuring, the Ministry of Forestry has been designated as the lead implementing agency for the cooperation project. Both sides are now finalizing adjustments to the Record of Discussion signed in 2024 to align with the new institutional framework and a streamlined project design.
Discussions also focused on strengthening the Mangrove Information Center (MIC) as part of Indonesia’s contribution to the World Mangrove Center (WMC) network.
The Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed its commitment to positioning the MIC not only as a national learning and capacity-building hub but also as a regional and global knowledge-sharing platform.
“We aim to establish the MIC as a global knowledge center showcasing best practices, scientific data, and policy innovations from around the world,” Rohmat said.
The ministry is currently preparing technical measures to ensure the MIC’s operational readiness, including facility upgrades, expert deployment, and coordination with related agencies. The facility is in the process of being transferred from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to the Ministry of Forestry.
Rohmat expressed confidence that the collaboration with JICA will strengthen Indonesia’s role as a global leader in mangrove conservation.
“We look forward to continued JICA support to enhance the MIC’s capacity and to develop it as part of the global WMC framework. This project will serve as a model for building resilience and sustainability through effective mangrove ecosystem management,” he said. ***
