As guardians of the world’s most important tropical forest landscapes, Indonesia and the Republic of the Congo bear unique global responsibilities.
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia and the Republic of the Congo explored ways to strengthen forestry cooperation, focusing on international market recognition of sustainably sourced wood products, supply chain traceability, and peatland and mangrove management.
Indonesian Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki discussed the potential cooperation with Congolese Forest Economy Minister Rosalie Matondo during a meeting on the sidelines of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on November 10, according to a statement received on Wednesday.
“As guardians of the world’s most important tropical forest landscapes, Indonesia and the Republic of the Congo bear unique global responsibilities. This meeting provides a strategic platform to align our visions and translate our shared environmental responsibilities into tangible, sustainable, and mutually beneficial economic opportunities,” Marzuki said.
He noted that the discussions highlighted the Broader Market Recognition Coalition, co-founded in 2023 by Indonesia, the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Ghana, Guyana, and Liberia to promote international recognition of sustainable forest management systems in timber-producing countries.
“A stronger collective voice within the coalition will encourage international markets to reduce non-tariff barriers, enabling verified sustainable forest products to enjoy equal market access,” he said.
Marzuki also expressed Indonesia’s readiness to promote practical cooperation in developing and strengthening systems to trace forest products from their source to the market.
He said the two countries could use Indonesia’s Sustainable Wood Legality Verification System (SVLK) as a technical reference, noting that the Republic of the Congo had expressed interest in learning from the system.
“Through this partnership, we hope to build accountable supply chains, reinforce global market trust, and demonstrate our commitment to combating illegal logging,” he added.
He further said Indonesia had proposed technical cooperation between the two countries’ forestry ministries, including exchanges of data, forest inventory methods, remote-sensing technology, and best practices in sustainable forest governance.
The two countries also explored opportunities for green investment in the forestry sector to support ecosystem restoration and community-based forest management.
In addition, Indonesia invited the Republic of the Congo to support the full operation of the International Tropical Peatland Center (ITPC), established jointly by Indonesia, the Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a follow-up to the 2018 Brazzaville Declaration.
Marzuki said the ITPC could become a global model for tropical peatland conservation and emissions reduction through intensive joint research, harmonized management practices, and innovative financing schemes.
The discussion also covered Indonesia’s newly established National Peatland and Mangrove Management Agency (BPGMN). Marzuki said the two countries could involve the agency in joint projects focusing on wetland restoration and coastal community empowerment.
“Indonesia remains committed to a partnership built on mutual respect, national ownership, and measurable outcomes. Let us ensure our tropical forests continue to serve as global environmental assets and catalysts for improved welfare,” he concluded.
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Translator: M. Riezko, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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