Open Forum Panel Discussion – Forestry and Climate Change Initiatives in Indonesia: Three Expert Assessments

On February 26 USINDO hosted three Indonesian and American experts on environment and climate change to discuss current environment and forestry initiatives in Indonesia, particularly on the progress of the national REDD+ (Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) policy and implementation, and U.S.-Indonesia climate change collaboration on forestry under the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership (CP). Dr. Mubariq Ahmad discussed Indonesia’s REDD+ strategy and implementation, including progress and challenges in land and forest resource governance and management.  Dr. Charles Barber discussed the U.S.-Indonesia collaboration on forestry programs and initiatives, as well as other updates from the Climate and Environment Working Group under the CP.  Dr. David McCauley shared his view on the potential role of the private sector in REDD+, particularly through the Forest Investment Program (FIP) initiative, Global Environment Facility (GEF), and other multilateral mechanisms to support REDD+ in Indonesia.