BELEM, Brazil – Indonesia’s national statement delivered at the COP30 Leaders Summit in Belém, Brazil, has drawn admiration from the international community, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said on Friday (Nov. 7, 2025), commending the country’s strong and people-centered approach to global climate action.
Raja Juli praised the address by Indonesia’s Special Envoy for Climate and Energy, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who represented President Prabowo Subianto at the summit.
He said the statement aligned with the president’s priorities in reinforcing Indonesia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and advancing inclusive green development.
“One aspect highly appreciated by the international community is Indonesia’s commitment to empowering Indigenous and local communities to protect forests,” Raja Juli said.
“President Prabowo’s decision to allocate 1.4 million hectares of forest to Indigenous Peoples over the next four years reflects a strong belief in local stewardship and a commitment to improving their welfare through the customary forest scheme.”
He said the president’s emphasis on multilateralism and continued adherence to the Paris Agreement was well received globally.
“The national statement reaffirmed Indonesia’s position to move forward collectively in addressing climate change through cooperative, rules-based frameworks,” Raja Juli said.
Indonesia’s green development agenda, outlined in its Second Nationally Determined Contribution (SNDC), targets net-zero emissions by 2060 or sooner and sustainable economic growth of up to 8 percent annually.
Raja Juli also highlighted President Prabowo’s announcement that Indonesia would not only join but also financially contribute to the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), a global funding initiative spearheaded by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to support tropical forest conservation.
“This demonstrates Indonesia’s proactive stance as a developing nation and one of the world’s largest tropical forest countries. We are not only protecting our forests but also contributing to global mechanisms that safeguard them,” Raja Juli said.
He added that the statement delivered by Hashim reflected Indonesia’s broader message to the world: that the country remains committed to working alongside other nations within a multilateral framework to protect the planet from the threats of climate change.
Turning point
The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025. This meeting is not just another annual event. Located at the “Gateway to the Amazon,” COP30 could mark a major turning point in the global energy transition, as well as a stage for developing countries like Indonesia to advocate for climate justice. For Indonesia, COP30 is a moment to demonstrate real climate commitment, strengthen leadership, and hold developed countries accountable.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities to prevent dangerous interference with the Earth’s climate system.
COP meetings have been held annually since 1995 and are attended by all member countries of the convention. This is where nations negotiate to reach global climate agreements. One of the most significant outcomes was the Paris Agreement at COP21 in 2015, where countries agreed to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C and pursue efforts to keep it to 1.5°C.
In practice, however, many COP meetings have ended with political promises rather than concrete actions. Countries often prioritize economic interests, resulting in weak and unambitious agreements. This is why the effectiveness of COP as a global problem-solving forum is frequently questioned. Indonesia must play an active role to ensure COP30 is not just ceremonial but delivers tangible progress.
Energy & Forest
COP30 will serve as a critical moment for countries to renew and enhance their emission reduction targets under the Paris Agreement. One of the key agendas is the Global Stocktake (GST), a comprehensive evaluation of global progress in addressing the climate crisis.
Brazil aims to make COP30 an “Implementation COP,” emphasizing real and measurable action. Its focus will include six main pillars, such as energy transition, industry and transport, and the protection of forests and biodiversity.
For Indonesia, two major issues will take center stage, namely energy transition and forest protection.
Indonesia has immense potential for renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. COP30 offers an opportunity to show that Indonesia is serious about shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy, not merely following global trends.
The government needs to present ambitious commitments, such as a clear roadmap for early retirement of coal-fired power plants, measurable targets for renewable energy development, and transparent, accountable use of financing mechanisms like the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
As the world’s third-largest tropical rainforest nation, Indonesia plays a crucial role in maintaining climate balance. Nature-based decarbonization efforts, such as forest conservation and restoration, must remain a diplomatic priority.
The government should also secure global funding to implement the FOLU Net Sink 2030 plan, which aims to make the forestry sector a net carbon absorber. COP30 will be a test: will Indonesia truly lead global climate action or simply repeat old promises? (*)
Cerah.or.id. COP30: Energy Transition and Climate Justice for Indonesia. https://www.cerah.or.id/publications/article/detail/cop30-energy-transition-and-climate-justice-for-indonesia. 20 October 2025
