Bali, 15 June 2026 – The Korea–Indonesia Forest Cooperation Center (KIFC) conducted a field visit to the Mangrove Information Center (MIC) Bali as part of ongoing efforts to explore future cooperation on mangrove management and rehabilitation between the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia and the Korea Forest Service (KFS). The visit follows the outcomes of the 2nd KIFC Steering Committee Meeting held in March 2026 and serves as an important step in gathering field-based information for the development of a new bilateral forestry cooperation project.
During the visit, the KIFC delegation held a discussion with Bambang Setyo Antoko, S.Hut., M.Si., Head of the Forest and Land Fire Control Center for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Region (Balai Dalkarhut Jabalnusra). The meeting focused on identifying opportunities to strengthen Indonesia–Republic of Korea cooperation in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation, including the potential utilization of the Mangrove Information Center as a platform for research, environmental education, capacity building, and knowledge exchange. The discussion also emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination, reliable data, and clearly defined institutional roles to support future project implementation.
According to Kuswandono, Indonesian Co-Director of KIFC, the field visit represented an important step toward designing cooperation initiatives that respond to actual needs and conditions in the field.
“Effective cooperation must be built upon real needs and field-based conditions. This visit provides an opportunity to engage directly with key stakeholders and gather valuable insights that will serve as the foundation for developing sustainable Indonesia–Republic of Korea cooperation programs that deliver tangible benefits for both countries,” said Kuswandono
Welcoming the initiative, Bambang Setyo Antoko highlighted the importance of international collaboration in strengthening forest management, particularly in addressing forest and land fire challenges.
“We highly appreciate this initiative to explore future cooperation. In addition to supporting mangrove conservation and rehabilitation, international collaboration is expected to strengthen forest and land fire management through the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices that can be adapted to Indonesia’s local conditions,” said Bambang Setyo Antoko.
Following the discussion, the KIFC delegation conducted field observations throughout the Mangrove Information Center to gain a better understanding of mangrove ecosystem conditions, environmental education facilities, nursery operations, and mangrove rehabilitation practices implemented at the site. The team also visited supporting facilities, including the Mangrove Trail, the Wantilan area, and the mangrove nursery, to observe how conservation, rehabilitation, environmental education, and community engagement are integrated within the site’s management.
The visit provided KIFC with valuable information and practical insights that will contribute to the formulation of future Indonesia–Republic of Korea forestry cooperation initiatives. The findings are expected to support collaborative programs in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation, institutional capacity building, environmental education, and sustainable forest and land fire management, further strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
