INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR MANAGING PEATLAND

As indicated in the previous section, Indonesia does not only work by itself to mitigate problems in relation to peat management and peat fires. We also communicate and collaborate with other countries and international agencies to stop peat degradation and prevent peat fires. In the Southeast Asia Region, as the ASEAN member, Indonesia has ratified the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Hazard Pollution (AATHP) through Law No. 26 of 2014 on AATHP Endorsement, dated 14 October 2014. AATHP aims to prevent and control cross-border smoke pollution as a result of land and/or forest fires particularly in peatlands that must be implemented through intensive national, regional and international efforts based on commitment, a spirit of partnership, and a tradition of solidarity to achieve peace, progress and prosperity among ASEAN countries.

The ASEAN Task Force on Peatlands (ATFP) was established to assist monitoring and supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (APMS 2016-2020). Its main role is to achieve the objectives of the APMS through overseeing the design and implementation of the ASEAN Program on Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems (APSMPE 2014-2020) and other relevant program/projects and facilitating cooperation with relevant partners, and reporting the progress of APMS implementation to COM to AATHP.

An ASEAN cooperation project is the “Measurable Action for Haze-Free Southeast Asia” (MAHFSA) funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and involves Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The MAHFSA Initiative will help strengthen existing ASEAN coordinating mechanisms to engage all stakeholders, strengthen capacity, harmonize relevant programs and projects, and facilitate donor agencies to promote fog-free agriculture, sustainable management of peat swamp forests and implementation of ASEAN Haze Roadmap.

At the international level, Indonesia is one of the three founding countries of the Global Peatlands Initiative, together Peru and the Republic of Congo, as well as 11 international organizations lead by the UN Environment. Among the members, Indonesia is the first ever country undertaking large scale peatland restorations.

The establishment of GPI aims to protect peat from degradation based on long-term field research. The GPI undertakes a thorough assessment of the world’s peat status and stored carbon where peat can help in achieving climate change mitigation as mandated by Paris Agreement. In addition, the GPI assists countries by strengthening knowledge and finding options for reducing peat degradation and improving sustainable peat management. 

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