Bangkok, September 9, 2024 – The Center for Standardization of Sustainable Forest Management Instruments (Pustarhut) once again steps onto the international stage by participating in the 2024 Annual Technical Workshop (ATW) organized by the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), held in Bangkok from September 9–11, 2024.
The Annual Technical Workshop serves as a platform to assess the performance and management of collaborative projects. Pustarhut is currently managing the AFoCO cooperation project titled “Innovative Solutions for Climate Change and Biodiversity Landscape Strategy to Support SDGs in Indonesia (AFoCO/023/2021).” The project aims to introduce innovative approaches to sustainable forest management practices, enhance the capacity of Forest Management Units (KPH) and local communities, and contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction and biodiversity conservation across landscapes.
This project focuses on three ecosystem types: peatland ecosystems in Riau (Minas Tahura KPH), karst ecosystems in Makassar (Bulusaraung KPH), and mangrove ecosystems in Sumbawa (Amplang Plampang KPH).
Set to conclude in December 2024, the AFoCO/023/2021 project’s progress was comprehensively presented by Ayun Windyoningrum, the Project Manager from Pustarhut, during the workshop.
“All targeted outputs have essentially been achieved, including capacity building for KPH and communities, the development of pilot demonstrations, and the facilitation of long-term forest management planning based on climate adaptation and mitigation,” explained Ayun.
The results of the collaboration were also presented through a video showcasing project activities in a visual format. The video drew significant attention from ATW 2024 participants. Yeongjoo LEE from the AFoCO Secretariat expressed appreciation, noting that Indonesia’s video was highly communicative.
Wening Sri Wulandari, Head of Pustarhut, extended her gratitude to AFoCO for its continuous collaboration and partnership with Indonesia, particularly through the AFoCO/023/2021 project.
“This cooperation has been incredibly valuable in supporting sustainable forest management, particularly in the development of non-timber forest products, rehabilitation, conservation of natural resources, and the formulation of standards. I sincerely hope this collaboration continues,” said Wening.
The ATW 2024 also hosted the 1st AFoCO Project Photo Exhibition. Indonesia actively participated by submitting a photo titled “Watering and Growing New Green Hope among the Burnt Pine Stumps.” The photo, capturing a woman watering a young pine tree amid burnt stumps, won the Gold Award as the first-place winner.
Opened by AFoCO Executive Director, Chongho Park, the workshop featured key sessions including progress presentations and discussions from cooperation project managers representing Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Timor Leste, Thailand, Mongolia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Accompanying the Head of Pustarhut at the event was Choirul Ahmad, Head of the Division for Instrument Standard Development and Forest Laboratory Management. ***