Riau Province boasts enormous natural potential, with 5.4 million hectares of forest and 4.9 million hectares of peatland. These areas play a strategic role in global climate mitigation. However, significant challenges remain, such as a deforestation rate of 2.8 million hectares between 1990 and 2020, peat degradation, recurring forest and land fires (karhutla), tenure conflicts, and exploitation of natural resources in peat ecosystems, mangroves, and border areas.
In response to these challenges, the government, in collaboration with UNEP, launched the GREEN for Riau Initiative on May 8, 2025. This initiative is a provincial-level forest and peat conservation program aimed at reducing emissions, empowering communities, and opening access to international financing through the REDD+ scheme. The Head of the Center for Human Resource Education and Training at the Ministry of Forestry expressed high appreciation, stating that "Riau is brave in starting and initiating this program." Good intentions must begin with the courage to change, which in this case involves adopting high-integrity global forest carbon market standards.
To share knowledge and practices through this initiative, the Ministry of Forestry's Human Resources Education and Training Center (BDLSDM) held an online discussion entitled "REDD+ Governance in Riau Through the Implementation of the GREEN for Riau Initiative" on Friday, March 27, 2026. The event featured Danang K.S., the Provincial Coordinator of the Riau REDD+ Program, facilitated by the UN REDD Programme (UNEP and FAO). The event took place from 8:00–10:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) via the Zoom Meeting platform. The discussion aimed to enhance participants' understanding of the concept and implementation of REDD+ governance in Riau, share experiences and best practices, and encourage cross-stakeholder collaboration in implementing this strategic initiative.
This online event was attended by more than 600 (six hundred) participants. Participants included lecturers from the Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Forestry Civil Servants (ASN), regional government civil servants, lecturers, and other stakeholders interested in the REDD+ program. This high number of participants indicates a strong interest from various groups in the REDD+ approach, which is currently receiving attention, particularly among environmentalists both in the regions and within the Ministry of Forestry.
This agenda is expected to provide comprehensive insight into how REDD+ governance in Riau is implemented concretely through the GREEN for Riau Initiative, while also addressing this curiosity and opening up broader collaboration to support the achievement of emission reduction targets and environmental conservation in Riau Province.
