Balikpapan, October 3, 2024 – Indonesia demonstrates its leadership in South-South cooperation by hosting the South-South Exchange 2024 (SSE 2024) in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan from September 30 to October 3, 2024. SSE 2024 brings together delegates from various countries, namely Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Cambodia, Costa Rica, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to create strategic opportunities and accelerate global climate action to reduce emissions, especially from the forestry sector (Forest and Other Land Use/FOLU) in countries participating in the South-South exchange.

This event was made possible thanks to the collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and the Indonesian Environment Fund (BPDLH) which was fully supported by the UNDP Indonesia and the East Kalimantan Provincial Government.

SSE 2024 provides a platform for participating countries to exchange insights, share experiences and strengthen cooperation in managing programs to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) with Results-Based Payments (RBP) funding under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) scheme and other climate finance schemes.

As one of the pioneers in the REDD+ initiative, Indonesia has demonstrated its seriousness in implementing sustainable forest management. In 2007, Indonesia hosted and facilitated negotiations at the 13th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties in Bali. Through this meeting, Indonesia played an important role because for the first time the REDD+ concept was developed to include sustainable forest management, increase forest carbon stocks, and encourage financial incentives for countries that successfully demonstrate their emission reduction performance.

Indonesia subsequently received REDD+ RBP in the amount of US$103.78 million from the GCF for achieving the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target from the FOLU sector in 2014 to 2016. In addition, as a form of more ambitious emission reduction efforts, Indonesia has established the FOLU Net Sink 2030 Program to achieve the FOLU sector NDC target.

The benefits of the incentive are intended to support REDD+ implementation based on the REDD+ National Strategy (STRANAS). The REDD+ program outlined in the STRANAS will be calculated for its contribution in achieving the NDC target in line with the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2019–2024.

Dr. Joko Tri Haryanto, President Director of the Indonesian Environment Fund, as a REDD+ implementing agent, said that, “Based on the program implementation plan outlined in the document signed together with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, BPDLH and UNDP, the Indonesia REDD+ RBP Project 2014-2016 amounting to US$ 103.8 million has been used to support sustainable forest management, namely Social Forestry, Forest Management Units, Forest Rehabilitation, Forest and Land Fire Management and Livelihood improvement. Through the REDD+ RBP funds, concrete steps have been taken to strengthen the REDD+ implementation infrastructure, which is coordinated through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Based on the mandate of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, starting this year, the incentive funds will be distributed to the Regional Government based on the contribution of regional emission reductions to national emission reductions in 2014–2016.”

At the national level, the REDD+ architecture is strengthened through the alignment of the REDD+ National Strategy with the NDC targets, Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL) which is used as a reference for sub-national emission levels, REDD+ Safeguard Information System, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) policies, National Registry System (SRN), and carbon pricing policies. In addition, REDD+ architecture at the sub-national level is also supported by the implementation of provincial FREL measurements, and the creation of provincial SIS-REDD+ and MRV.

Lessons Learned from the Knowledge Exchange
Through the SSE 2024, participated countries are expected to improve their comprehensive understanding of REDD+ implementation and the integrated management of REDD+ RBP to ensure sustainable benefits and livelihoods of  communities living around the forests and contribute to emissions reduction.

SSE 2024 also includes a special session to showcase the success story of the East Kalimantan Provincial Government in implementing the REDD+ program. The session includes efforts that have been made by the East Kalimantan Provincial Government in implementing the REDD+ program, among others, integrating the REDD+ program into the sub-national development planning, fiscal policyplanning, and implementing the REDD+ benefit sharing mechanism. In addition, the benefits of the REDD+ program in East Kalimantan include REDD+ fund incentives, improved forest management capacity, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

Dr. Aretha Aprilia, Head of Environment Unit, UNDP Indonesia said, “UNDP is fully committed to support Indonesia’s vision in achieving the NDC and FOLU Net Sink 2030 targets. Our partnership with the Indonesian government and other international stakeholders will continue to focus on the utilization of innovative financing, capacity building and policies coherence aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the theme Uniting Forests & Land for REDD+: Advancing Finance for NDC Implementation through South-South Cooperation, SSE 2024 is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange to deepen cooperation and ensure a stronger and more tangible climate action.”

SSE 2024 is also expected to improve capacities across countries by equipping participants with the necessary practical tools and approaches to streamline REDD+ initiatives, and strengthen access to climate financing. This includes promoting social and gender inclusion in the FOLU sector through the application of safeguard principles. In doing so, SSE 2024 contributes positively to the achievement of sustainability goals and the effectiveness of the REDD+ program.

Media contact
Communications Analyst, UNDP Indonesia

Devi Nugraha
devi.nugraha@undp.org