Pekanbaru, January 29, 2026 — The Riau Provincial Government held the GREEN for Riau Initiative (GREEN Riau) Multistakeholder Workshop and Dialogue as a strategic step to accelerate emissions reduction actions in the forestry and land sector. This forum is part of efforts to support the national target of FOLU Net Sink 2030 by strengthening collaboration between the government, civil society, academia, the business world, and international partners.
This activity focused on translating national policies into operational steps at the regional level, ranging from forest and peatland management, developing action plans for land-based sectors, and improving coordination between stakeholders.
Acting Governor of Riau, SF Hariyanto, who opened the event, emphasized that the GREEN for Riau Initiative is a strategic regional program to strengthen synergy between the central and regional governments in maintaining environmental sustainability.
One of its goals is to streamline the development framework between the central and regional governments related to the environment. "This also demonstrates the Riau Provincial Government's commitment to environmental conditions in our region," he added.
Furthermore, SF Hariyanto explained environmental developments, noting that Riau has seen a 13 percent reduction in gas emissions.
As a province with extensive forest and peatland areas, Riau plays a crucial role in Indonesia's climate change mitigation agenda. Approximately 4.9 million hectares of peatland make this region a significant carbon store, but it also faces ecological pressures such as land degradation, forest fires, and changes in land use that require more integrated governance.
Expert Staff for Climate Change at the Ministry of Forestry, Prof. Dr. Haruni Krisnawati, who attended online, assessed Riau as unique and vulnerable to ecological disasters. This is because many businesses in Riau are one of the regions in the country with a significant number of business sectors related to environmental management.
Therefore, Riau's position in this regard is very strategic. Moreover, the Green for Riau Initiative program also relates to environmental, social, and economic interests.
"If implemented well, Riau could become a model for other regions," he said.
Bambang Arifatmi, Coordinator of the UNEP UN-REDD Programme in Indonesia, stated that the GREEN for Riau Initiative is Riau Province's commitment to supporting global emissions reduction actions.
"GREEN for Riau reflects the Riau Provincial Government's commitment to supporting global environmental conservation through emissions reduction, community empowerment, and ecosystem restoration. As a collaborative program, implementing the pentahelix is key to ensuring no one is left behind, with local government leadership as the primary driver," he said.
International support was also expressed by Saul Hathaway, Ministerial Advisor for Development, British Embassy in Indonesia, who affirmed the UK's commitment to supporting nature conservation and environmental financing in Indonesia.
He stated that the UK government is committed to working with the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Environment on the Green for Riau initiative to support emissions reduction and build a system that aligns carbon development, including through private sector involvement.
In the context of environmental law enforcement, Riau Police Chief Inspector General Hery Heryawan stated that the paradigm of public security has changed. The paradigm is no longer merely anticipating the threat of violence, but also ensuring broader human safety. This includes anticipating environmental damage, which can also pose a threat to the wider community.
"The environmental crisis cannot be seen as a sectoral issue, but has transformed into a source that impacts the economy and development," he emphasized.
The Riau Police, he explained, have implemented green policing, which means kindness not only to humans but also to nature and the environment.
The workshop and dialogue were also attended by regents and mayors and their staff, business actors, non-governmental organizations, traditional institutions, academics, and representatives of other stakeholders. This cross-sectoral presence reflects the growing support for better forest and land management.
Through the GREEN for Riau Initiative, Riau Province is expected to strengthen its contribution to the national emission reduction target while building a foundation for more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable natural resource governance for the community.
About the UN-REDD Programme: The UN-REDD Programme is a UN collaboration (UNEP, FAO, UNDP) to assist developing countries in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and sustainably managing forests.
About the PILI Green Network: PILI Green Network is an Indonesian non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management through scientific approaches and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
About PETAI: The PETAI Foundation (Indonesian Center for Education and Nature Transformation) is a non-profit organization that plays a crucial role in conservation and community empowerment, particularly in the Riau region. Within the context of the GREEN for Riau (GREEN Riau) initiative, the PETAI Foundation acts as a local implementing partner, bridging technical policies with concrete actions at the grassroots level.