Mataram, University of Mataram – To accelerate the achievement of Indonesia’s national climate targets, the Indonesian Forestry Higher Education Communication Forum (FOReTIKA) convened a workshop themed “The Role of Multi-Stakeholders in the Implementation of Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030.” The event, held in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday, September 21, 2025, highlighted the academic community’s commitment to taking direct and concrete action in addressing the climate crisis, with the University of Mataram (Unram) serving as host.

The workshop brought together hundreds of participants from government, academia, practitioners, and students. It was officially opened by FOReTIKA Vice Chair Ir. Sigit Sunarta, S.Hut., M.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU., and attended by 150 in-person participants along with 1,000 forestry students joining online from across Indonesia. In his remarks, Sigit stressed that the climate crisis is no longer a future concern, but a reality already being felt today.

“Indonesia, as an archipelagic nation with the world’s second-longest coastline, is among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. At the same time, we are also home to one of the largest tropical forest covers in the world. This places upon us a dual responsibility: to safeguard forests as the lungs of the Earth, while ensuring the equitable and sustainable use of natural resources for development,” he conveyed to the participants.

He further explained that FOLU Net Sink 2030 represents a condition in which the forestry and other land use sectors absorb more carbon emissions than they emit. Achieving this target, he emphasized, constitutes a critical milestone in Indonesia’s pathway toward Net Zero Emissions by 2060.

“Without success in the FOLU sector, achieving this target will be impossible. This sector must transform from being a problem sector into a solution sector,” he emphasized.

The workshop also featured the Kick-Off of the Forestry Update Course (FUCo) and a Public Lecture delivered by the Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, who presented on “Priority Policies for Achieving Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030.” The event continued with two in-depth panel discussion sessions.

The first panel featured speakers from the Operation Management Office (OMO) of Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 and representatives of the Indonesian Forestry Higher Education Communication Forum (FOReTIKA). Discussions centered on strategies to accelerate implementation, as well as the vital role of universities in preparing human resources, advancing research, and fostering innovation to achieve the national target.

The second panel highlighted concrete contributions from the field. Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) presented best practices in forest management within the Special Purpose Forest Areas (KHDTK) of Getas and Wanagama Nusantara. Meanwhile, representatives of the Tree Grower Community (TGC) of IPB University showcased the significant carbon stock potential that can be mobilized to support the realization of Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030.

The event, which ran from morning until evening, concluded with a Gala Dinner, following the Annual Meeting of FOReTIKA, where strategic action plans for the future were outlined. The workshop is expected not only to serve as a platform for dialogue but also to act as a catalyst for concrete collaboration among all stakeholders in the shared mission of safeguarding the planet for future generations.