Pekanbaru, 17 June 2026 — The Riau Provincial Government through the Riau Province Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) is accelerating the preparation of a REDD+ Regional Strategy and Action Plan (STRADA) as part of efforts to strengthen forestry and land governance, reduce the rate of deforestation and forest degradation, and support low-carbon development.
Discussion of the REDD+ STRADA draft was carried out with the Riau Province Environment and Forestry Service (DLHK) and the Forest Management Unit (KPH) in Riau Province. This forum is a discussion space to integrate and harmonize data, identify implementation challenges in the field, and develop regional emission reduction strategies that are more precise, measurable and implementable.
At the beginning of the discussion, Abdul Madian, Head of the Economic and Natural Resources Division of the Riau Province Bappeda, emphasized that the preparation of the REDD+ STRADA needed to be completed immediately. According to him, this document is an important instrument in the Jurisdictional REDD+ (JREDD+) approach in Riau Province.
"The preparation of the REDD+ STRADA must be completed immediately. We need the support of all KPHs to complete the necessary data," said Madian.
He explained that currently some of the required data has not yet been met. Therefore, accelerating the collection of data and information from all forest management areas is an important step to ensure that the REDD+ STRADA document can be prepared in a comprehensive and evidence-based manner.
In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Suwondo, Expert in preparing REDD+ STRADA, explained that STRADA is part of the REDD+ architecture as well as a form of Riau Province's commitment to supporting the agenda for controlling climate change and reducing emissions from the forestry sector.
According to him, STRADA REDD+ is an integration and continuation of various regional policies that Riau Province already has, including the FOLU Net Sink 2030 agenda, the Environmental Protection and Management Plan (RPPLH), low carbon development plans, and various other sustainable development policies.
"REDD+ STRADA is an important part of the policy architecture that supports reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation as well as sustainable forest management," he explained.
The results of the analysis presented at the forum show that deforestation and forest degradation are still serious challenges in Riau Province. The area of forest cover that has continued to decrease in the last few decades shows that pressure on forests is still ongoing, especially due to changes in land use.
Peat swamp areas are one of the ecosystems experiencing the greatest pressure. Changes in land use for oil palm plantations and other development activities are still the dominant factors driving deforestation and forest degradation in a number of areas.
In the discussion session, Irzal Fakhrozi from DLHK Riau Province highlighted the importance of ensuring that coastal areas and mangrove ecosystems receive adequate attention in the REDD+ STRADA document.
"We see that coastal areas and mangroves have an important contribution to carbon management and ecosystem protection," he said.
This input is considered important because mangrove and coastal ecosystems have a strategic role in storing carbon, protecting coastlines, strengthening biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Meanwhile, Joko from KPH Kuantan Singingi emphasized the importance of implementation support at the site level. According to him, the strategy prepared needs to be followed by a clear funding plan so that it can be implemented effectively by KPH and implementers in the field.
"The strategies and solutions formulated require support from resources and financing. Therefore, implementation in the field must be a concern so that REDD+ STRADA does not stop at the planning documents," he said.
Apidian Suherdianta also conveyed similar input, who highlighted the need to strengthen coordination and active involvement of all parties in implementing the action plan. He assessed that the success of REDD+ STRADA implementation really depends on cross-sector collaboration, including local government, KPH, community, academics, business actors and development partners.
Through the development of the REDD+ STRADA, the Riau Provincial Government hopes to strengthen sustainable forest management, reduce deforestation rates, increase carbon stock conservation, and strengthen regional contributions to national emission reduction targets.
The currently drafted REDD+ STRADA document is expected to serve as a shared reference for all stakeholders in realizing low-carbon development and sustainable natural resource management in Riau Province.
Going forward, the completion of the REDD+ STRADA is also expected to strengthen the foundation for the implementation of the GREEN for Riau Initiative, particularly in supporting jurisdiction-based REDD+ that is credible, inclusive, and measurable, and delivers tangible benefits to communities and the environment.