JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Indonesia Ministry of Forestry (MoF), in partnership with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), is holding the Indonesia National Inception Workshop and First National Technical Working Group (NTWG) Meeting of the Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS) project, from 11 to 13 February 2025. 

ASEAN ENMAPS is a five-year, GEF-funded marine conservation project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the ACB serving as the implementing partner. The project aims to strengthen the governance of marine protected area (MPA) networks within key Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN region, starting with three participating ASEAN Member States (AMSs): Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. In Indonesia, project implementation is coordinated through the MoF, which serves as the national executing agency, with collaboration from relevant directorates, national park authorities, and site officers under the guidance of the national project manager.

The workshop and meeting serve as a major step towards aligning Indonesia’s marine conservation goals with regional priorities, and sets the stage for building a robust NTWG framework, validating key conservation indicators, and charting priority actions to protect Indonesia’s invaluable marine ecosystems.

Mr. Sapto Aji Prabowo, Director for Conservation Areas at MoF, stated that the project will play an important role in facilitating MPAs and in building capacity among stakeholders, particularly in helping them to better understand the importance of MPA networks in conserving marine and other migratory species in the context  of seascape, as well as their economic and ecological values. As National Project Director for Indonesia, Mr. Sapto is confident that stakeholder participation and capacity-building through the ASEAN ENMAPS Project is achievable and sustainable.

In June 2024, the regional launch of the ACB’s ASEAN ENMAPS Project was held in Manila, Philippines. This milestone event brought together participating AMS—Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, UNDP, and the ACB to initiate collective efforts in strengthening marine biodiversity conservation across the region.

This National Inception Workshop and First Indonesia NTWG Meeting therefore represent significant next steps in translating regional objectives into actionable plans at both the national level and at individual sites. Both events highlight Indonesia’s vital role in advancing the project’s mission and showcase its commitment to conserving marine ecosystems.

“These events mark important milestones in ASEAN ENMAPS, and offer clear paths to align the project’s objectives with Indonesia’s unique socio-economic and ecological context, and with the new government’s forward-looking policies,” said Ms Clarissa C. Arida, Acting Executive Director of the ACB and Project Director of the ASEAN ENMAPS Project. “They also serve as platforms to catalyse actions, ensuring that we at the ACB continue to strengthen our efforts on ocean and marine governance, on enhancing biodiversity protection, and promoting sustainable fisheries – not just for Indonesia, but for the entire ASEAN region”, she added. 

The UNDP likewise emphasised that the oceans need a sea of change. “Working with nature is one of our best options for ocean action. With only about eight percent of the ocean under some level of protection, countries must think expansively and cooperatively to conserve, manage and restore the ocean that sustains us. Developing and improving the management of networks of marine protected areas and marine corridors is a force multiplier for conservation – amplifying individual MPAs and allowing whole ecosystems to benefit from network effects,” said Mr. Gerd Trogemann, Manager, Regional Programme and Global Policy Network, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub for Asia and the Pacific.

Ms. Sheila G. Vergara, ASEAN ENMAPS Project Manager and Chief Technical Adviser, emphasized the scientific foundation of the initiative, stating, “By integrating the results of marine ecological and connectivity studies with the results of social science surveys and sharing such knowledge with stakeholders, ASEAN ENMAPS is demonstrating how evidence-based decision-making can drive effective, gender-responsive, inclusive, and sustainable marine ecosystem management.”

The back-to-back events bring together representatives from Indonesia’s top ministries, including the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF). Civil society organizations and community representatives including women, youth and masyarakat adat (customary or traditional people) also participate in the events, ensuring that diverse voices, local perspectives and kebijaksanaan (local wisdom) shape the project’s implementation. Their collective efforts aim to tackle pressing challenges and safeguard Indonesia’s rich marine biodiversity.

Indonesia’s leadership in regional marine conservation and ASEAN ENMAPS

Indonesia plays a pivotal role in the ASEAN ENMAPS project, with two pilot sites – Kepulauan Togean National Park and Wakatobi National Park – exemplifying the nation’s dedication to marine conservation. These sites are part of the project’s 11 pilot areas spanning Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Indonesia’s marine conservation initiatives are  closely aligned with those of the wider ASEAN ENMAPS undertaking, enabling the project to leverage national-level efforts.

Indonesia’s ‘One Map Policy’, aimed at consolidating and harmonizing geospatial data, dovetails with ASEAN ENMAPS’ focus on marine spatial planning and governance. Moreover, the issuance of new  law  No  32 year 2024 has given the opportunity to local governments and communities to be involved in the conservation and emphasising the interconnectedness of ecosystems  and a more holistic approach to marine conservation.   Additionally, various Indonesia Programs on conservation, including Mangrove, coastal and other innovative sustainable community development will guide ASEAN ENMAPS’ focus on strengthening coastal and marine ecosystems with an innovative approach.   

Further, the ASEAN ENMAPS Project serves as a force multiplier for the National Marine Conservation Area Program of Indonesia. ASEAN ENMAPS’ goal – to enhance conservation efforts through the establishment of MPA networks to improve marine connectivity to ensure species can migrate between protected areas and maintain ecological balance – aligns with Indonesia’s commitment to support global targets in protecting 30% of marine areas by 2045. 

By focusing on integrated fisheries management, marine spatial planning, ecosystem and gender-responsive approaches to fisheries and management, and community engagement, ASEAN ENMAPS aims to revolutionize how ASEAN nations protect their shared marine resources. The initiative’s emphasis on knowledge-sharing and scaling best practices ensures that lessons learned in Indonesia resonate across the region, paving the way for long-term conservation success.