The world is facing a climate crisis, with climate shifts impacting many sectors critical to livelihoods. On the positive side, Indonesia is home to about 23 percent of the world’s mangrove forests, covering 3.44 million hectares and including 204 species.
Mangroves are the extraordinary trees that guard our island home. This was conveyed by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut B. Pandjaitan when attending the Groundbreaking of International Mangrove Research Centre MBZ-JKW in Kura Kura Bali on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Today, Luhut and guests will lay the first stone of the International Mangrove Research Center MBZ-JKW.
“Regarding the urgency of protecting mangrove ecosystems, the governments of Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed on an MoU to jointly chair the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) and establish the Mohammed Bin Zayed – Joko Widodo International Mangrove Research Center (IMRC) in Indonesia,” Luhut said.
These initiatives underline the importance of international cooperation in addressing climate challenges, encouraging cooperation and strengthening the relationship between Indonesia and the UAE in the field of sustainable mangrove management and the first implementation of the MAC program.
“I am pleased to announce that the International Mangrove Research Center will be established in a very strategic location in Bali which has demonstrated its success in preserving mangrove ecosystems and will be an international exposure. The land has been provided by the Indonesian government to develop the research centre,” Luhut said.
The research center will serve for cutting-edge research, conservation and education. In particular, the utilization of biotechnology and innovations such as artificial intelligence for mangrove identification and the use of drones for restoration in remote areas.
“Tomorrow, we will be holding the GBFA G20 Bali high level event at the 10th World Water Forum. The event will consist of the launch of the Bali-based Secretariat, the signing of a Letter of Intent by the founders, and a Roundtable Discussion to discuss the next steps,” Luhut said.
He added that this is not just a construction project, but in the future it will become a state-of-the-art research center as a capacity building and international destination in Bali.
