Chairman of the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI), Nanan Soekarna, suggested that adherence to global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards is no longer optional, but an urgent necessity for Indonesia’s nickel industry to stay competitive in the global market.

Speaking at the 2025 ESG Forum in Jakarta, Nanan emphasized that Indonesia − home to the world’s largest nickel reserves − is now at the heart of the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. However, rising international demands for ESG compliance, such as those embedded in the Paris Agreement, the European Union’s Battery Passport, and procurement requirements from global automotive giants, are “reshaping the rules of engagement.

“ESG is the new global passport for competitiveness and sustainability,” Nanan told a gathering of government officials, industry players, researchers, and international stakeholders, including representatives from Tesla, BMW, Hyundai, and the Nickel Institute in Jakarta on Monday, June 2, 2025.

The forum, co-initiated by APNI and PERHAPI (the Indonesian Mining Professionals Association) with the support from key government bodies, aims to align Indonesia’s ESG practices with global market demands while safeguarding national interests. It covers six strategic discussion areas, ranging from international ESG standards and Original Equipment Manufacturer requirements, to regulatory frameworks and pricing implications for compliant nickel.

Among the key outcomes targeted by the forum are a consolidated list of global ESG benchmarks, gap analyses between Indonesian law and international expectations, and a joint stakeholder commitment toward sustainable growth.

Nanan stressed that ESG is not merely about ticking boxes for compliance, but about embodying values and integrity.

He concluded by invoking the five pillars of sustainable impact, namely people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.

“Only then, Indonesia can become a truly responsible global player in the nickel industry,” he said.