Indonesia and South Korea Expand Cooperation on Forest Fire Management

Indonesia and South Korea have agreed to expand cooperation in sustainable forest management and forest fire response, formalised through two agreements signed in Seoul. The arrangements focus on climate mitigation in the forestry sector, improved fire prevention and recovery, and the use of monitoring technologies. According to official reporting on the agreement, the partnership is expected to strengthen preparedness for forest and land fires in Indonesia, particularly as authorities monitor the potential impact of El Niño conditions forecast for mid‑2026.

Two agreements outline expanded forestry cooperation

The cooperation was formalised during a meeting between Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, and South Korea’s Minister of the Korea Forest Service (KFS), Park Eunsik. The signing took place in Seoul during President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit, which Indonesian officials described as part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral relations through environmental and climate-focused diplomacy.

The first agreement, a Framework Arrangement on Cooperation on Priority Programs in Forestry, sets out areas for joint work aimed at supporting climate change mitigation through improved forest management.

The framework includes collaboration on:

• Sustainable forest management: promoting responsible land stewardship and conservation practices
• Mangrove and peatland rehabilitation: restoring ecosystems that play a role in carbon storage and coastal resilience
• Ecotourism development: supporting environmentally sustainable tourism activities in forest areas
• Social forestry initiatives: expanding community participation in forest management
• Forest carbon markets: strengthening mechanisms that support emissions reduction through forestry activities

Joint efforts to improve forest fire prevention and recovery

The second agreement is a memorandum of understanding focused specifically on forest fire management and post‑fire recovery. The MoU outlines cooperation across the full disaster management cycle, including prevention, preparedness, emergency response, and ecosystem restoration after fires.

Indonesian officials said the partnership will also promote the use of technology in fire monitoring and response. This includes satellite‑based observation systems and initiatives to strengthen human resource capabilities through training and knowledge exchange.

Satellite monitoring planned for 2026

Minister Park noted that Indonesia is a key partner in South Korea’s international forestry cooperation. Currently, South Korea’s only overseas forestry representative is stationed at the Republic of Korea Embassy in Jakarta, reflecting the strategic importance of the relationship.

The Korea Forest Service also plans to launch a forest fire monitoring satellite in September 2026. The system is expected to provide real‑time monitoring capabilities and could cover approximately 55 per cent of Indonesia’s territory.

Indonesia’s forestry ministry said such capabilities could significantly strengthen early detection and preparedness for forest and land fires, particularly as the country anticipates possible El Niño conditions beginning in June 2026.

Implementation through joint projects and training

Both governments agreed to advance the cooperation through practical initiatives, including joint project development, exchanges of knowledge and technology, and capacity‑building programmes. Institutional cooperation will be coordinated through a Joint Consultation Committee, which will oversee implementation and support collaboration between relevant agencies in both countries.

Officials from both sides said the agreements are intended to strengthen long‑term cooperation in forestry governance while improving resilience to environmental risks such as large‑scale forest fires.