Announcement: Japan-Indonesia Forest Conservation Symposium 2026 to be held on July 22 (Wed) and 23 (Thu) – The Future of Supply Chains Toward Zero Deforestation

To the media,

Greetings,

I am Yuichiro Ishizaki from the Orangutan and Forests Association.

On July 22 (Wednesday) and 23 (Thursday), we will co-host the international symposium 'Japan-Indonesia Forest Conservation Symposium 2026: The Future of Supply Chains Toward Zero Deforestation,' bringing together NGOs, researchers, businesses, and investors from Indonesia and Japan.

This is a rare opportunity to directly engage with guests from Indonesia during networking sessions. We would be delighted if you could join us on-site for coverage.

Please find the overview below. For details—including speakers and program objectives—please visit our website. We appreciate your support.

-------------------------------------------------- Event: Japan-Indonesia Forest Conservation Symposium 2026 – The Future of Supply Chains Toward Zero Deforestation Dates: July 22 (Wed) and 23 (Thu), 2026 Time: 10:00–17:00 (Doors open at 9:30 for in-person, Zoom opens at 9:55) (tentative) Format: Hybrid (in-person in Tokyo and online via Zoom) Website: https://www.gef.or.jp/news/event/260722-23japan_indonesia_forest_symposium/ --------------------------------------------------

Indonesia holds the world’s third-largest area of tropical forests and is renowned for its exceptionally high biodiversity. Forest conservation in Indonesia is critically important for global climate change mitigation and biodiversity preservation. However, rapid deforestation continues in recent years.

Japan has long been a major consumer market for Indonesian forest-related commodities (such as timber, palm oil, and paper pulp). In recent years, Japan has increasingly relied on Indonesia’s forests, including a sharp rise in imports of wood pellets used as renewable energy.

This symposium will gather NGOs and researchers actively conducting field investigations and policy advocacy on deforestation and conservation in Indonesia, along with Japanese companies and investors working toward zero deforestation through supply chains, to facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue.

Each session will share the latest developments on deforestation, biodiversity risks, and social impacts at commodity production sites, and discuss necessary actions to address these challenges. The symposium will also explore effective collaboration for forest and biodiversity conservation and pathways toward a nature-positive future that halts tropical deforestation.

【Event Schedule】 July 22 (Wednesday) and 23 (Thursday), 2026 Both days: 10:00–17:00 (In-person registration opens at 9:30, Zoom opens at 9:55) (tentative)

【Format】 Hybrid event (in-person and online) - In-person capacity: 140 - Online capacity: 500 - Venue: Tokyo Women’s Plaza Hall (Shibuya City, Tokyo) - Online: Zoom Webinar

【Participation Fee】 Free (prior registration required; first-come, first-served)

【Registration Links】 * Prior registration is required for both in-person and online participation. Please register separately for Day 1 and Day 2.

Day 1 (July 22): https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b7vuvisQSoyfFrt1K_cvAQ

Day 2 (July 23): https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qnUWqqwLQMqrav8ML59Mxw

【Program (Names without titles) – Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation provided】 * For full details, please visit the official website. * Networking sessions are scheduled from 17:30 each day.

[Speakers] 【Keynote Speech】 Saurlin P. Siagian (Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia)

【Paper & Pulp】 – Moderator: Toyoyuki Kawakami (Rainforest Action Network) – Commentator: Bambang Hero Saharjo (Bogor Agricultural University) – Speakers: Aidil Fitri (HaKI: Hutan Kita Institute), Hiroshi Harada (Tropical Forest Action Network), Kokok Yulianto (WWF Indonesia), Fumio Ota (Ajinomoto Co., Inc.)

【Palm Oil】 – Moderator: Daisuke Naito (Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University) – Commentator: Hidezane Toda (Sustainability Management Institute) – Speakers: Minoru Matsubara (Risona Asset Management), Takayuki Nakatsuka (Tropical Forest Action Network), Adelina Chandra (Trase), Ristika Putri (LTKL – Sustainable District Association), Koji Sato (Kao Corporation)

【Biomass】 – Moderator: Miyuki Tomari (Biomass Industrial Society Network) – Commentator: Terri Repi (Universitas Gorontalo Muhammadiyah) – Speakers: Tatsuya Okazaki (Mitsui Sumitomo Trust Group), Representative from relevant government agency or committee (TBC), Christopel Paino (JAPESDA – Natural Resources Management Advocacy Network), Timer Manurung (Auriga Nusantara)

【Conservation】 – Moderator: Tetsuji Ida (Kyodo News) – Commentator: Jatna Supriatna (University of Indonesia) – Speakers: Rudi Putra (FKL – Leuser Conservation Forum), Yuichiro Ishizaki (Orangutan and Forests Association), Paulinus Kristianto (CAN – Conservation Action Network, Borneo), Japanese company engaged in conservation initiatives (TBC)

【Closing Remarks】 – Naoki Adachi (Response Ability Inc.)

[Cost]: Free [Note]: Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation will be provided. Networking sessions are scheduled from 17:30 each day.

▼ For details and registration: https://www.gef.or.jp/news/event/260722-23japan_indonesia_forest_symposium/

【Organizers】 Japan: Earth Environment Forum, Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN), Rainforest Action Network (RAN) Indonesia: Auriga Nusantara

【Co-organizers】 Orangutan and Forests Association, Biomass Industrial Society Network, Mighty Earth, Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC)

【Inquiries】 Earth Environment Forum (General Incorporated Foundation) Contact: Suzushima / Iinuma Email: event[a]gef.or.jp