Category: Indonesia

UK and Indonesia joining forces to protect nature, communities and the Giants of Sumatra alongside signing of new Strategic Partnership

On 21 January, UK Minister for Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra and Indonesian Special Presidential Envoy on Energy and Environment Hashim Djojohadikusumo co-hosted a high-level roundtable discussion at Lancaster House, London to mobilise support for the conservation of Indonesia’s unique biodiversity and landscapes, including through the Peusangan Elephant Conservation Initiative (PECI), an Indonesian-led conservation effort in Aceh Province, and through a new Iconic Species Investor Working Group to convene international support for Indonesia’s national parks.

The discussion was attended by The President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, government ministers, businesses, philanthropies and representatives from civil society, including the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA), and was followed by a short reception attended by His Majesty The King Charles III, who established the CBA as The Prince of Wales to accelerate the transition to a nature-first economy.

PECI is demonstrating how integrated landscape management – bringing together elephant conservation, sustainable agroforestry production, and local economic development – can serve as a practical blueprint for a nature‑first economy in Indonesia. By protecting the critically endangered Sumatran elephants and the forests they depend on, the initiative strengthens the natural harmony between wildlife, landscapes, and the people who live alongside them.

This interconnected relationship will provide important benefits to local communities, including greater climate resilience against disasters such as flash flooding. The initiative also reflects Indonesia’s leadership in biodiversity and climate action, delivered through a transparent, locally-led model supported by international partners, that can be extended to mobilise finance for national parks across the country.

UK Minister for Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra, said:

“The UK is proud to work with Indonesia to protect nature, including the Sumatran elephants. The PECI project helps look after the environment while supporting local people and jobs. Today’s event shows that by working together we can fight climate change and protect nature at the same time.”

Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Raja Juli Antoni, said:

“Through the PECI programme in Aceh Province, Indonesia prioritises the protection of the endangered Sumatran elephant. Under the strong leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, the programme was expanded to 90,000 hectares in August 2025. With the full support of the UK Government, and in collaboration with WWF-Indonesia and PT Tusam Hutani Lestari, conservation efforts have been undertaken to promote harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife. PECI shall also focus on agroforestry development, conservation-based ecotourism, and the implementation of the Carbon Economic Value (CEV) as a national conservation role model.”

CEO WWF-Indonesia Aditya Bayunanda, said:

“Protecting the habitat of the Sumatran elephant in the Peusangan landscape is vital for securing essential water sources and carbon sinks to tackle the global climate crisis. This initiative demonstrates how innovative conservation financing can help drive local action to conserve Indonesia’s high-biodiversity areas—spanning up to 93 million hectares—and advance Indonesia’s vision for a climate-resilient future.”

CEO Circular Bioeconomy Alliance Marc Palahí, said:

“This collaboration shows what is possible when we move beyond fragmented approaches and embrace integrated, landscape-level solutions. By combining conservation, sustainable production and local economic development, PECI offers a practical blueprint not only for Aceh, but for landscapes across Indonesia. Through this ‘Living Lab’ in Aceh and our parallel Living Lab with partners in West Java, we are demonstrating how a nature-first economy can be delivered on the ground, protecting biodiversity, strengthening livelihoods and building long-term resilience for people and nature alike.”

Credit: (1) PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo (2) Ben Dance / FCDO