Indonesian president Joko Widodo at the Indonesia Sustainability Forum in Jakarta on Sept 5, 2024. - Bloomberg
JAKARTA: President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo emphasised the vital role of Indonesia’s mangrove forests in carbon absorption, noting that the country’s 3.3 million hectares of mangroves are 12 times more effective in absorbing carbon compared to tropical rainforests.
This highlights Indonesia's significant contribution to global climate change mitigation efforts, reported Antara news agency.
The president conveyed this while spotlighting Indonesia's potential to tackle global climate change issues at the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2024 at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Jakarta, on Thursday (Sept 5).
"Indonesia's mangrove forests are the largest in the world, covering 3.3 million hectares and capable of absorbing carbon eight to 12 times better than tropical rainforests," he remarked.
He noted that several people were unaware of the mangrove potential that Indonesia has to respond to the impact of climate change.
The president called on the world to not doubt Indonesia's commitment to achieving net zero emissions (NZE) and contributing to the world further.
Furthermore, he underlined that Indonesia also has vast potential in green energy, reaching more than 3,600 gigawatts.
"We also have solar power plants, floating solar power plants. The floating solar power plant in Cirata Reservoir, with a capacity of 192 megawatts peak, is the largest in South-East Asia and the third largest in the world," he remarked.
In this regard, he underlined that all the potential that Indonesia has can be utilised optimally if strengthened with research and investment or funding from developed countries.
The ISF 2024, raising the theme of "Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Growth," is attended by 8,000 participants. The forum has five pillars: green economy, energy transition, biodiversity and nature conservation, sustainable living, and blue economy.
The forum, from Sept 5-6, features main sessions attended by key speakers, plenary sessions, thematic sessions, high-level dialogue sessions, the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs), an exhibition, and a gala dinner. - Bernama-Antara
