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20    FOCUS                                                                       JUL/AUG 2025 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com






         Max Vakhtbovycn                                     reduction targets in the Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU)
                                                             sector. Beyond reform Shafira called for clearer and more
                                                             inclusive zoning criteria that considers the ecological, cultural
                                                             and social contexts of each region.

                                                                She emphasised integrating the needs of local communities,
                                                             indigenous peoples and regional governments into forest
                                                             management policies.
                                                                Environmental resilience and the land's capacity to
                                                             support human activity without degradation must be central
                                                             to zoning decisions. Shafira warned against generalising forest
                                                             management across Indonesia's diverse islands urging more
                                                             attention to the unique and fragile ecosystems of smaller
          (BPN) complicate effective governance.             islands often overlooked in national policy.

            Sturman Panjaitan, a Commission IV member, emphasised
          that the existing law, stemming from the reform era no longer   Indonesia and UK strategic partnership set to be
          meets contemporary needs due to conflicting regulations that   concluded in September
          could hinder sustainable forest management.        Indonesia and the United Kingdom are set to finalise a new
            He argued that a new legal framework is vital to provide   strategic partnership agreement in September according to
          clarity, boost forest utilisation and ensure long-term benefits   the British Ambassador, Dominic Jermey.
          for the population.                                   This partnership aims to strengthen ties between the two

            Fellow Commission IV member, I Nyoman Adi Wiryatama,   nations amidst global geopolitical shifts, emphasising shared
          agreed advocating for a complete overhaul rather than mere   democracy and human rights issues.
          revision.                                             The agreement will focus on human resource development
            Parliament is now gathering input from various stakeholders,   (especially in education and health), economic growth, sustainable
          including civil society, forestry businesses and indigenous   development (including green energy and forest conservation).
          communities. The goal is to draft a new forestry law that   It is planned the partnership will be formally launched
          better addresses Indonesia's current and future ecological   during a meeting between Indonesian President, Prabowo
          and economic challenges.                           Subianto and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
            This lengthy process is deemed crucial for creating a

          more responsive and effective regulatory system for forest   Anti-dumping/subsidy investigation on plywood
          management.                                        The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) is fully supporting Indonesian
            In related news, Difa Shafira, from the Indonesian Centre for   businesses facing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations
          Environmental Law (ICEL), stated that the current classification   by the US Department of Commerce regarding hardwood and
          of forests under Indonesia's Forestry Law No. 41 of 1999 into   decorative plywood exports.
          conservation, protection and production zones is outdated   Kemendag will assist Indonesian entrepreneurs in preparing
          and ineffective.                                   their defence and completing questionnaires. Around one-third

            She argues this system undermines forests' role as life-  of Indonesia's hardwood and decorative plywood production
          support systems and fails to align with national emission   is exported to the US.
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