Kemenhut strengthens forestry diplomacy, encourages Indonesia to become a global reference

Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni (ANTARA/HO-Kemenhut RI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has strengthened the capacity of its apparatus in the field of public diplomacy and international negotiations to strengthen Indonesia's position in global forest governance.

This step is part of the strategy of the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, who encourages Indonesia not only as a guardian of tropical forests, but also as a major player in international forestry diplomacy.

Capacity strengthening is carried out through Public Diplomacy and Negotiation Training (Beginner Cohort) which was held on 4-5 August 2026 in Bandung. This training was held by the Ministry of Forestry together with Multistakeholder Forestry Programme Phase 5 (MFP5) with the support of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Gadjah Mada University (UGM).

The participants of the training came from the Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Industry, and Bappenas.

The Ministry of Forestry considers diplomacy to be an important factor amid increasing global pressure related to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and trade in forest-based products. The government wants Indonesia's various achievements in sustainable forest management to not only be recognized, but also to become a reference in various international forums.

Referring to President Prabowo Subianto's vision, Raja Juli Antoni placed the strengthening of forestry diplomacy as one of the priorities to expand international partnerships while strengthening Indonesia's position in various global forums.

Head of the Foreign Relations and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Forestry, Dr. Ristianto Pribadi, said diplomacy is no longer only based on the ability to negotiate, but also on the ability to build trust.

"Trust is the most valuable currency in diplomacy," said Ristianto in a written statement, Thursday, August 6, 2026.

According to him, diplomacy is not merely about conveying information or winning arguments, but building public trust, international partners, and the global community on Indonesia's commitment to managing forests sustainably.

"Indonesia has vast tropical forests, the world's largest mangrove, an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity, and various good practices in sustainable forest management. However, all of these achievements will not have the maximum impact if they are not able to be communicated effectively to the world. Good products must be known, trusted, and recommended," he said.

Ristianto assessed that every state apparatus involved in international forums basically carries national interests. Therefore, the ability to consistently convey Indonesia's message, credible, and data-based is part of the government's diplomacy strategy.

As a country with the third largest tropical forest in the world, Indonesia is also trying to strengthen its position in strategic forestry issues.

The Ministry of Forestry highlighted four main agendas that require public diplomacy support, namely strengthening international recognition of the Legal and Sustainability Verification System (SVLK+), the development of the International Tropical Peatland Center (ITPC), the establishment of the World Mangrove Center (WMC), and strengthening Indonesia's position in the development of High Quality Carbon Market.

The training covers an understanding of international regulations that affect Indonesian forest products trade, the preparation of strategic messaging, to cross-ministry negotiation simulations.

The Ministry of Forestry assesses that the success of Indonesian diplomacy is not only determined by the quality of policies, but also by the ability of government officials to communicate policies professionally, convincingly, and with integrity.