Indonesia and AFoCO Strengthen Partnership to Advance Carbon Projects and Social Forestry

Indonesia is stepping up its international collaboration on climate and sustainable land management, following a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Forestry and the Asia Forest Cooperation Organization aimed at accelerating carbon project development and expanding social forestry initiatives.

The meeting, held in Seoul on 1 April 2026, brought together Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, and AFoCO Executive Director Park Chongho. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in key areas such as carbon offset projects, land rehabilitation and community empowerment.

The engagement forms part of a broader diplomatic push linked to President Prabowo Subianto’s state visits, aimed at deepening ties between Indonesia and South Korea. Forestry and climate cooperation have emerged as important pillars in this relationship, reflecting shared priorities around sustainability and green growth.

AFoCO highlighted Indonesia’s growing influence within the organisation since joining in 2019, noting its contribution to raising the regional profile of sustainable forestry. With one of the largest tropical forest areas in Asia, Indonesia is seen as a critical player in global efforts to reduce emissions through nature-based solutions.

A central theme of the discussions was the expansion of forestry-based carbon projects. These initiatives, which generate carbon credits by reducing or absorbing greenhouse gas emissions, are gaining momentum as countries seek market-based tools to meet climate targets. AFoCO identified strong potential across Indonesia’s social forestry areas, national parks and concession zones, though it acknowledged that many projects still require technical support, particularly in preparing documentation and meeting certification standards.

To help address financing challenges, AFoCO is developing blended finance mechanisms aimed at supporting reforestation and rehabilitation of degraded land. By combining public and private funding, these schemes are intended to reduce investment risks and unlock larger-scale carbon projects. AFoCO also confirmed its accreditation with the Green Climate Fund, which could open new funding channels for Indonesia’s forestry sector.

Additional financial backing is being mobilised through partnerships with institutions such as Rabobank, which is supporting agroforestry carbon projects across the Asia-Pacific region. These models could potentially be adapted and scaled within Indonesia, further expanding opportunities for sustainable land use and rural development.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with AFoCO to promote sustainable forest management. The government emphasised that carbon projects should not only contribute to emissions reductions but also deliver tangible benefits for local communities. This aligns with Indonesia’s broader push to expand social forestry, which aims to give communities greater access to and control over forest resources.

As part of the collaboration, Indonesia has proposed strengthening institutional ties by placing a permanent representative at AFoCO’s headquarters. This move is expected to improve coordination and enhance the effectiveness of joint programmes.

The Ministry also invited AFoCO to support the management of approximately 1.4 million hectares of customary forests over the next five years. This initiative is designed to empower indigenous and local communities while ensuring sustainable forest use. Support is expected to focus on overcoming key barriers, including access to initial financing and technical expertise needed to develop viable carbon and forestry projects.

The meeting underscored a shared commitment to tackling climate change, restoring ecosystems and improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. As global demand for credible carbon credits continues to rise, partnerships like this are likely to play an increasingly important role in linking environmental goals with economic opportunities.

Overall, the collaboration between Indonesia and AFoCO reflects a broader shift towards integrating climate action, sustainable development and international cooperation—positioning forestry not just as an environmental asset, but as a cornerstone of the low-carbon economy.