Indonesia Appointed as Leader of Mangrove Alliance for Climate in Dubai

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia was granted the honor to head the 34 states-membered Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), said the Ad-interim Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs and State-Owned-Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir while attending COP28 climate conference in Dubai. 

"It is an honor as well as a huge responsibility for Indonesia to be chosen as the co-leader of MAC. Indonesia and UAE along with 34 countries have shown their care and commitment for mangrove restoration and conservation, consisting of 70 percent of the world's mangrove area," the minister said on Monday.

Erick mentioned that Indonesia and the UAE have agreed to launch the International Mangrove Research Center (IMRC) in Bali. The research center would become the biggest mangrove laboratory in the world as an international platform to boost the capacity of joint research. 

"All of this was conducted to realize a better future for the next generations," he added.

According to Erick Thohir, mangrove provides several benefits such as beach protection, high biodiversity, and economic benefits such as ecotourism and carbon pricing.

"Mangrove is necessary for Indonesia, considering its benefits for the environment and society as well as its ability to strengthen coastline resilience. As a nature-based solution, mangroves contributed to controlling climate change and blue carbon absorption and storage," Erick explained.

"We hope to collaborate with various parties to ensure a sustainable future for this world, in the present and the future through mangrove management," he concluded.

ANTARA

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