ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia is trusted to be the Co-Chair of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) which has 36 member countries.
This was stated by the Ad Interim Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment and Minister for Indonesian State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir during a visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the COP28 agenda.
“It is an honor and a big responsibility for Indonesia to be chosen as MAC Co-Chair. “Indonesia and the UAE together with 34 other countries show concern and commitment to the restoration and conservation of mangroves, which cover 70 percent of the mangrove area throughout the world,” he said in a written statement in Jakarta, Monday, December 11 2023.
Erick said that the UAE and Indonesia agreed to establish the International Mangrove Research Center (IMRC) in Bali. IMRC, which could become the largest mangrove laboratory in the world, is a forum for international cooperation to increase capacity through expert exchange and joint research.
“Of course, all these efforts are aimed at realizing a better world future for future generations,” he added.
Erick assesses that mangroves provide a number of benefits, including coastal protection, high biodiversity, as well as economic benefits for the community through ecotourism and carbon pricing.
“Mangroves are very important for Indonesia, considering their benefits for the environment and society and their ability to strengthen coastal resilience. As a nature-based solution, mangroves participate in controlling climate change by acting as the world’s lungs through absorbing and storing blue carbon,” he said.
“We hope to collaborate with many parties to ensure a sustainable future for our world, now and in the future, through mangrove management,” said Erick Thohir.
The total mangrove area of MAC members is estimated to reach at least 40% of the world’s total mangrove area.
“Mangrove forests have been proven to be able to capture five to eight times more carbon than tropical forests. “Meanwhile in the adaptation sector, mangroves are a natural barrier to sea level rise,” explained Erick.
Erick then informed that Indonesia has a mangrove restoration program with the estimated blue carbon from this program estimated at $3 billion.
“The Indonesian government has taken a number of concrete steps in preserving mangroves, for this reason we invite other countries to carry out similar things,” concluded Erick.
Source: Tropis.id
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