Senior EU official visits Indonesia to strengthen cooperation in the fight against deforestation

The Director-General for the Environment of the European Commission, Ms Florika Fink-Hooijer, visited Jakarta from 24 to 27 June 2023 to strengthen European Union (EU)-Indonesia cooperation on environmental matters.

During her visit, the Director-General met with Deputy Minister for Maritime and Natural Resources Ibu Vivi Yulaswati from BAPPENAS, Deputy Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Ibu Nani Hendiarty and Deputy Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Ibu Musdalifah.  

A key aim was to follow up on the visit of Indonesian Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto to Brussels last month and the request for closer cooperation on the implementation of the EU’s regulation, in particular regarding certain commodities linked to deforestation and forest degradation. The European Commission and the Indonesian authorities discussed the establishment of an Ad-Hoc Task Force to support the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation in a cooperative spirit, to enhance dialogue on ensuring traceability and transparency of deforestation-free supply chains.

This bilateral effort complements the existing EU multi-stakeholder deforestation platform. The Ad-Hoc Task Force could examine the situation for all commodities in the scope of the new EU regulation and inter-alia address specific challenges and solutions. In particular, it could focus on smallholder inclusion and traceability, along with exploring the potential of traceability schemes in ensuring deforestation-free supply chains.

I am delighted that the EU and Indonesia are continuing the constructive dialogue and collaboration on environment. On many topics, such as biodiversity, water, circular economy, waste and plastic, we share the same objectives. We are also engaging positively on the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation to increase trade in legal and deforestation-free commodities and to ensure that also smallholders can be part of the sustainable supply chains,” said Director-General Fink-Hooijer.

Throughout the discussions, Director General Fink-Hooijer shared perspectives and progress on the EU’s policies and gained insights on how to join forces with Indonesia in key areas, such as the deployment of the circular economy, and how to engage concerning the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework agreed at COP15 last December. The Director General also announced the EU’s support to Indonesia’s leadership for the World Water Forum, to be organised in Bali in May 2024.

In a session organised jointly with the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Member States, the two sides launched the ASEAN Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform with a view to foster cooperation and exchange of best practices regarding the circular economy in the region. The two sides also discussed opportunities for stepping up cooperation on wider environmental and energy cooperation in the framework of Team Europe.

The Director General also engaged with Indonesian environmental communities and participated in a beach clean-up on Pulau Rambut.