Indonesia promotes forest fire control measures at global forums

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Forestry has presented a comprehensive package of measures to control forest and land fires at two forums at the ASEAN and UN levels.

Head of Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation Bureau at the ministry, Ristianto Pribadi, said Indonesia presented these concrete steps at the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila and the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31 UNFCCC) in Turkiye.

"This active diplomatic effort is backed by concrete evidence of successful domestic firefighting operations, firm law enforcement against companies violating regulations, and innovative financing schemes for large-scale conservation and ecosystem restoration," he said in a statement on Thursday.

At the COP31 UN climate forum in Turkiye, Indonesia showcased a comprehensive approach to forest and land fire management, combining firefighting, prevention, satellite monitoring, law enforcement, cross-sector cooperation, and reforestation to reduce emissions amid El Niño related challenges.

Pribadi added that forest and land fire control, forest protection, peatland restoration, mangrove rehabilitation, and reforestation efforts are integrated to help achieve Indonesia's 2030 forestry sector emission reduction target under the FOLU Net Sink program.

At COP31, the ministry also promoted long-term solutions through green economy cooperation and forest landscape restoration, with several key agenda items.

According to Pribadi, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to high-integrity carbon restoration and cooperation, synergized peatland management across regions, and innovative long-term financing for conservation.

"Under the leadership of Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, we are promoting innovative conservation financing schemes through the National Park Management Financing Innovation Task Force at COP31," Pribadi said.

Indonesia is also playing a key role in Southeast Asia by promoting the accelerated ratification of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACCTHPC) at the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila.

The transboundary haze control coordination center has established a secretariat in Jakarta but needs ratification by at least six ASEAN member states to become fully operational. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said only Vietnam has fulfilled the requirement so far.

Pribadi explained the ACCTHPC is expected to strengthen the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), which has been in effect since 2003.

The center's functions include facilitating air quality data sharing, hotspot and fire monitoring, technical assistance, and cross-border response coordination.

"In line with this ASEAN initiative, Indonesia is also strengthening bilateral cooperation with Singapore in exchanging information on forest and land fire mitigation and taking action against irresponsible business practices," he said.

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Translator: Arnidhya Nur Z, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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