[Event Announcement] Japan-Indonesia Forest Conservation Symposium 2026

The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) (Headquarters: San Francisco, USA; Japan Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter referred to as RAN), an environmental NGO, will jointly host the "Japan-Indonesia Forest Conservation Symposium 2026" on July 22nd and 23rd with the Global Environmental Forum, the Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN), and Auriga Nusantara (an Indonesian NGO).

Background of the Event

Tropical forests are extremely important for supporting terrestrial biodiversity. Although they cover only 7% of the Earth's land area, they are home to 50-80% of the world's plant and animal species. Indonesia has the third-largest tropical forest area in the world and is a major biodiversity hotspot, home to many endemic and endangered species. On the other hand, rapid forest degradation and adverse impacts on ecosystems continue due to the expansion of palm oil, pulp and paper, timber, and, in recent years, wood pellet production for renewable energy in Japan.

Japan is a major consumer of these Indonesian forest commodities, and the procurement and investment activities of Japanese companies and investors have a significant impact on local forest conservation.

This symposium will feature presentations by researchers and NGOs on the latest situation regarding forest degradation, biodiversity risks, and impacts on local communities in the production areas of various commodities (pulp and paper, palm oil, biomass). It will also include discussions among multiple stakeholders, with the participation of Japanese companies working towards zero deforestation in their supply chains and investors engaged in unique engagement and due diligence efforts. We will explore pathways towards achieving zero-deforestation supply chains and a nature-positive future.

This is a valuable opportunity for anyone interested in Indonesia's forest degradation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable investment, and responsible corporate procurement to directly interview leading researchers and experts from Japan and abroad, as well as business representatives advancing innovative initiatives.

Event Details

Venue

Tokyo Women's Plaza Hall (5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)

Date and Time

July 22 (Wed) and 23 (Thu), 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Networking session scheduled from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM)

Format

Hybrid (in-person and online)

Participation Fee

Free (advance registration required)

Details and Registration

https://www.gef.or.jp/news/event/260722-23japan_indonesia_forest_symposium/

Creatures living in Indonesia's tropical forests (Left: Bornean orangutan (c)HUTAN Group, Right: Cuscus (c)Taishi Takahashi / GEF)

Program and Content

(Titles omitted) *Simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English will be provided. *Details on time and content will be updated and added as needed.

(Please see below the program for profiles and photos of Indonesian speakers)

Day 1

Morning 10:00 AM - 1:15 PM (scheduled)

Keynote Speech: "Why is Indonesia's Forest Continuing to Decline? (Tentative)" Saurlin P. Siagian (Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia)

Session 1: "Pulp and Paper" Approximately 30% of copy paper in Japan is made in Indonesia. Indonesian NGOs and researchers will present issues such as tropical forest logging, conversion to plantations, peatland development, and violations of the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities that occur for pulp and paper production. Japanese NGOs will cover efforts towards companies and initiatives and advanced examples from user companies. We will consider the initiatives required in both producing and consuming countries for responsible paper product procurement.

Moderator: Toyoyuki Kawakami (Rainforest Action Network)

Commentary: Bambang Hero Saharjo (Bogor Agricultural University)

Speakers: Aidil Fitri (HaKI: Hutan Kita Institute), Kimio Harada (Japan Tropical Forest Action Network), Kokok Yulianto (WWF Indonesia), Fumio Ota (Ajinomoto Co., Inc.)

Afternoon 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM (scheduled)

Session 2: "Palm Oil" Indonesia has become the world's largest producer of palm oil, and its rich tropical forests have been rapidly replaced by oil palm plantations. In this session, local NGOs will present the latest situation on environmental and social issues caused by oil palm plantation development, and Japanese NGOs will introduce the efforts of user companies towards responsible procurement based on over 10 years of continuous surveys and dialogue with companies. Companies promoting the development and implementation of NDPE (No Deforestation, No Peatland Development, No Human Rights Abuses) policies, as well as investors actively engaged, will also speak to discuss the realization of supply chains that do not cause deforestation.

Moderator: Daisuke Naito (Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University)

Commentary: Hidemitsu Tomita (Sustainability Management Research Institute)

Speakers: Minoru Matsubara (Resona Asset Management), Takayuki Nakatsuka (Japan Tropical Forest Action Network), Adelina Chandra (Trase), Ristika Putri (LTKL (Sustainable District Association)), Koji Sato (Kao Corporation)

Day 2

Morning 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (scheduled)

Session 3: "Biomass" Biomass power generation is supported in Japan as "renewable energy," and imports of fuel from Indonesia are rapidly increasing. Local NGOs and researchers will report on the current situation where forests are being logged on a large scale in production areas, leading to the loss of valuable ecosystems, including endangered and endemic species. Meanwhile, Japan's support policies for biomass power generation are also continuously evolving to seek sustainability. Policy makers and financial institutions that have financed biomass power generation projects will present their respective problem perceptions and initiatives to solve them. We will examine from multiple perspectives whether sustainable biomass power generation can be compatible with the maintenance of forests and biodiversity.

Moderator: Miyuki Tomari (Biomass Industrial Society Network)

Commentary: Terri Repi (Universitas Muhammadiyah Gorontalo)

Speakers: Tatsuya Okazaki (Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group) - Representative, New Energy Division, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Christopel Paino (JAPESDA: Natural Resources Management Advocacy Network); Timer Manurung (Auriga Nusantara)

Afternoon 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (scheduled)

Session 4: "Conservation" Indonesia's tropical forests continue to shrink due to the production of palm oil, paper pulp, biomass, and other products. Can supply chains that do not destroy forests be established through collaboration between consuming and producing countries? This session will examine case studies from three regions where local companies, administrations, and residents are jointly planning and monitoring, achieving results in wide-area forest conservation, and consider the elements necessary for success. It will also discuss the role of Japanese buyer companies' procurement policies and engagement, and the possibility of procurement that does not lead to tropical forest reduction, involving multiple stakeholders.

– Moderator: Tetsuji Ida (Kyodo News)

– Commentary: Jatna Supriatna (University of Indonesia)

– Speakers: Rudi Putra (FKL: Leuser Conservation Forum), Yuichiro Ishizaki (Watanabe: Association for Thinking About Forests and Life), Paulinus Kristianto (CAN: Conservation Action Network, Borneo), Representatives from Fuji Oil Co., Ltd.'s conservation projects

– Closing Remarks: Naoki Adachi (Response Ability Inc.)

Participation Method

Hybrid format (in-person and online) (In-person: 140 people, Online: 500 people)

In-person: Tokyo Women's Plaza Hall (5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)

※Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ynHYnoBiGW6m84m96

Online: Zoom Webinar

Highlights of this Symposium

Numerous leading researchers and NGOs on Indonesian forest conservation will visit Japan.

Mr. Saurlin P. Siagian Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation, National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia

Specializes in human rights advocacy, social justice, agrarian reform, environmental governance, and indigenous rights. Widely engaged in policy advocacy, research, advocacy, and institutional strengthening.

Mr. Bambang Hero Saharjo Professor, Bogor Agricultural University

A world authority on forest fire and peatland fire research. Dedicated to scientifically elucidating and investigating the causes of illegal forest fires associated with forest and plantation development, he received the "John Maddox Prize" in 2019, awarded to individuals for their contributions to public interest information dissemination based on scientific evidence.

Ms. Adelina Chandra Trase Researcher

A researcher at Trase, an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving transparency in forest loss and commodity supply chains through data-driven analysis. Specializes in forest loss, forest governance, and sustainable commodity supply chains.

Ms. Ristika Putri Executive Director, "Association of Sustainable Districts"

Executive Director of Indonesia's "Association of Sustainable Districts" (Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari, LTKL), which promotes sustainable regional development. Supports the formulation of regional strategies that balance economic growth with forest conservation and climate resilience through collaboration with district governments, companies, local communities, and development partners.

Mr. Timer Manurung Founder and Representative, Environmental NGO Auriga Nusantara

An environmental activist who has been active in Indonesia for over 20 years. Leads one of Indonesia's leading environmental advocacy organizations, backed by satellite and supply chain data.

Mr. Rudi Putra Conservation Advisor, Leuser Conservation Forum (FKL)

A leading expert in ecosystem conservation in the Leuser Ecosystem, Asia's largest and one of the world's most important tropical forests. Has been involved in forest and wildlife conservation in the area for over 30 years and received the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2014.

Mr. Jatna Supriatna Professor, University of Indonesia; Director, Center for Climate Change Studies and Institute for Sustainable Earth Resources

A leading conservation biologist in Indonesia, who served for many years as the Indonesian Country Director and Deputy Country Director for Conservation International. Author of numerous books and papers on Indonesia's environment and biodiversity.

2. Dialogue with Japanese Companies and Investors

In addition to Indonesian NGOs and researchers, a wide range of stakeholders from Japan will gather for discussions. You can cover cross-cutting perspectives and initiatives, including on-the-ground forest and biodiversity conservation, supporting scientific knowledge, and practical aspects of sustainable investment and supply chain management.

User companies of paper products and palm oil

Investors and financial institutions actively engaged in engagement and due diligence

Administrative officials in charge of related policies

Researchers and sustainability experts

3. Networking Opportunities

Networking sessions are scheduled at the end of both days. Please take advantage of these opportunities for in-person interaction, such as interviewing speakers, exchanging business cards, and discussing with other participants.