Indonesia and Japan Discuss Mangrove Management and Carbon Investment Cooperation
Indonesia and Japan have discussed expanding cooperation on tropical forest management, including sustainable mangrove management and carbon investment. The talks took place during a meeting between Indonesia’s Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni and Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Suzuki Norikazu. According to official reporting on the meeting, the discussions focused on strengthening long-standing forestry collaboration and supporting climate mitigation through nature-based solutions.
The meeting formed part of President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Japan, which began on 30 March 2026. Both countries emphasised the importance of building on existing partnerships, particularly projects implemented through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Strengthening Cooperation on Mangrove Ecosystem Management
Minister Antoni highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Indonesia and Japan in the forestry sector, noting that JICA-supported initiatives have played an important role in advancing sustainable forest management. These collaborations also support broader efforts to address global climate change.
Indonesia has invited Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) to enhance the quality of ongoing JICA projects. The aim is to strengthen Indonesia’s proposed World Mangrove Center initiative, which is intended to function as an international hub for mangrove rehabilitation, research, education and innovation.
The initiative is also expected to provide a reference point for nature-based climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, reflecting the growing policy focus on protecting coastal ecosystems as part of climate resilience planning.
Carbon Economy and Forestry-Based Climate Solutions
During the meeting, Indonesia also encouraged Japanese participation in its developing carbon economy. Opportunities include afforestation and reforestation initiatives, including projects located in national parks.
These efforts align with Indonesia’s regulatory framework for the Voluntary Carbon Market following the issuance of Presidential Regulation No 110 of 2025 on the Implementation of Carbon Economic Value and National Greenhouse Gas Emission Control. The policy framework aims to enable climate mitigation investments while supporting sustainable land management.
The bilateral discussions also reflected a broader pattern of governance reforms in Indonesia aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight and public policy coordination. Similar approaches can be seen in other sectors, including initiatives to improve digital literacy and online safety frameworks and programmes designed to reinforce national digital security through biometric SIM registration.
Japan Signals Continued Technical Support
Japan reaffirmed that Indonesia remains a strategic partner in forestry cooperation. MAFF indicated its commitment to supporting Indonesia’s tropical forest management programmes through JICA-led initiatives.
As part of this cooperation, MAFF plans to assign two experts in April 2026 to contribute to a JICA project focused on sustainable mangrove management in Indonesia. The technical support is expected to assist research, implementation and knowledge exchange related to coastal ecosystem restoration.
Japan also requested Indonesia’s support in implementing the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in the forestry sector. The mechanism enables both countries to collaborate on emissions reduction projects while sharing the resulting carbon credits, contributing to wider climate mitigation efforts.
Officials from both governments indicated that strengthening cooperation in forestry and carbon investment could contribute to regional and global climate objectives, while supporting sustainable development and ecosystem protection.
