Indonesia urges global action as rising seas threaten island nations

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat has called for immediate, collaborative global action to adapt to climate change, as rising sea levels put the livelihoods of people in archipelagic countries such as Tuvalu at risk.

“The Paris Agreement is our compass. Yet the window to keep 1.5°C alive is closing fast. We must close the gap between promises and results, guided by equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective capabilities,” Hidayat said in a statement received here on Wednesday.

The minister highlighted Indonesia’s vision that adaptation must stand on an equal footing with mitigation. As an archipelagic nation, Indonesia understands the risks faced by small islands and coastal communities, he stressed.

According to Hidayat, under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership, Indonesia is translating ambition into action, including by pursuing net-zero emissions by 2060 or sooner, in line with its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

He said climate action must advance alongside economic growth, energy security, poverty eradication, and resilience.

Moreover, Indonesia is accelerating economy-wide action through the FOLU Net Sink 2030 program, reducing emissions from waste and methane, and transforming industry by decarbonizing existing industries and developing low-carbon industries from the outset.

“Our energy transition must be just, orderly, and people-centered, while strengthening energy security and affordability and protecting vulnerable communities,” he said.

He noted that while these discussions continue, action to protect people and communities cannot wait. Indonesia is consistently strengthening resilience through practical measures, including restoring mangroves, protecting coral reefs, and scaling up the community-based climate adaptation program known as ProKlim.

“As we look ahead to COP31 in Antalya, our challenge is no longer ambition—it is implementation. Moving from ambition to implementation requires concrete support. We need a global response that matches the scale of climate impacts and safeguards our future generations,” he said.

He made the remarks during the Pre-COP Leaders’ Event, part of the Pre-Conference of the Parties (Pre-COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Nadi, Fiji.

Hidayat stated that the five-day Pre-COP Leaders’ Event and Pacific Pre-COP High-Level Ministerial Meeting provide opportunities to bring Pacific nations’ efforts and solutions for adapting to climate change to global attention.