Indonesia, South Korea Explore New Cooperation on Mangrove Restoration and Blue Carbon Development
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia and South Korea have initiated discussions on a new cooperation framework focused on mangrove restoration and blue carbon development, aimed at enhancing the climate action commitments of both countries.
According to Director for Mangrove Rehabilitation at Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ristianto Pribadi, the Indonesian government welcomes South Korea’s interest in advancing joint efforts in this sector.
“The collaboration is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a global leader in mangrove conservation and become a new milestone in the Indonesia–South Korea strategic partnership in environmental and climate sectors,” Pribadi said, as quoted in the ministry’s statement issued on Sunday.
The proposed cooperation was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Indonesia’s Environment and Forestry Ministry and South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, held on the sidelines of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, on November 12.
During the meeting, Pribadi underscored Indonesia’s achievements in rehabilitating more than 165,000 hectares of mangrove ecosystems out of the country’s 3.44 million hectares of mangrove areas, which make up 23 percent of the world’s total mangrove coverage.
“This effort is not only to maintain the balance of coastal ecosystems but is also a part of the national strategy to achieve the FOLU Net Sink 2030 target,” he added.
South Korea’s Deputy Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Seo Jeong-ho, expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s progress and conveyed Seoul’s commitment to developing concrete cooperation programs in coastal and marine areas.
“We are impressed by Indonesia’s achievements and are keen to contribute through technology, research, and innovation cooperation to strengthen the resilience of coastal areas,” Seo stated.
Seo also affirmed South Korea’s interest in supporting Indonesia’s initiative to establish the World Mangrove Center (WMC), envisioned as a global hub for knowledge-sharing and international collaboration on mangrove conservation.
As a follow-up step, both sides agreed to form a technical team to prepare detailed cooperation plans, with participation from South Korea’s Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Indonesia will also serve as facilitator in designing and implementing the mangrove restoration and blue carbon development programs, the ministry added.
