A delegation of representatives from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Indonesia gathered once again to embark on a learning journey on biodiversity conservation; this time across the forests of Indonesia. The trip marked the second in a series of south-south exchanges, after representatives traveled through Brazil together earlier this year to share knowledge, deepen cooperation, and accelerate action for the protection of biodiversity in tropical forest nations.

As mega-biodiverse countries, with ecosystems covering 1/3 of the planet, Brazil, the DRC, and Indonesia are indispensable in our global stand against biodiversity loss, land degradation and climate change. The nations encompass the world’s three major forest basins and are signatories of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Three Basins Summit. By learning to stand together, the delegation is demonstrating the power of their cooperation in safeguarding our planet.

Organized under the GIZ Global Project: Strengthening National Implementation of Global Biodiversity Targets under the umbrella of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, the series of study trips support country-led efforts to meet global biodiversity commitments through collaboration and strategic action. Building on the momentum of their collaboration in Brazil, the group travelled from Jakarta to East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, from the 28th of September to the 5th of October 2025, where senior government officials, technical experts, and civil society leaders engaged in technical sessions, site visits, field demonstrations, and open dialogue focusing on improving biodiversity governance.

Jakarta, Jakarta Province (28 September)

• Discussions at BAPPENAS about integrating biodiversity into national development and improving cross-ministerial coordination.
• Countries exchanged experiences on how governance structures can strengthen implementation and accountability for GBF targets.

Bogor, Jakarta Province (29-30 September)

• Visits to Taman Safari and Bogor Botanical Gardens (BRIN) highlighted Indonesia’s practical approaches to ex-situ conservation, research, and public engagement.

Jakarta, Jakarta Province (2 October)

• The Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia shared experiences on devolving biodiversity management to provinces and districts.
• Participants discussed challenges of maintaining coherence across governance levels and ensuring local capacity and data consistency.

Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Province (3-4 October)

• Sessions with the Directorate General of Nature Resources and Ecosystem Conservation focused on subnational data management and ecosystem-based monitoring.
• Field visits to Komodo National Park showcased community-led conservation and eco-enterprises.

Arriving in Indonesia’s largest city and capital, Jakarta, delegates from Indonesia, Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as well as the German Embassy, Norwegian Embassy, French Embassy, GIZ Indonesia and NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, were welcomed by representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas). Guests were invited into dinner and introductions, setting the stage for the trip to be one of conversation and dialogue, emphasizing collaboration, cooperation, and knowledge exchange to strengthen the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). The welcome dinner also offered a first taste (literally) of Indonesia’s extraordinary biodiversity. The group enjoyed traditional dishes made from locally sourced ingredients that reflect the country’s rich ecosystems and culinary heritage.

During introductions, Brazil’s delegation highlighted the importance and shared responsibility of Brazil, Indonesia, and the DRC as stewards of tropical forests. The DRC delegation called for deeper South–South cooperation, stronger institutional coordination, and unified action to protect tropical ecosystems, concluding with a call for solidarity. Together, the remarks framed the trip as both a practical and symbolic step in strengthening institutional cooperation, building synergies, and positioning tropical forest countries at the heart of global biodiversity action.

The following morning, in a spirit of trust and collaboration, the three countries shared an insider look at their real policy goals and solutions as models for improvement and replication.

• Indonesia presented its 2025–2045 NBSAP, anchored in long-term development plans and emphasizing the economic valuation of biodiversity to drive resilience and growth in key sectors. It also introduced plans for a Biodiversity Data Centre and highlighted five priority programs: blue economy, spatial planning, forest management, food security, ecosystem management, and genetic resources.
• Brazil shared its updated 2025 NBSAP, established by Presidential Decree and guided by CONABIO, setting 25 national targets, including conserving 80% of the Amazon, halting extinctions, and integrating biodiversity into public accounts and economic policies.
• The DRC outlined its approach to aligning its NBSAP with the Global Biodiversity Framework through institutional coordination, community-based resource management, and strengthened conservation financing.

Together, these exchanges illustrated close collaboration, support, and mutual learning.

In the afternoon, the group travelled within the province of Jakarta to the city of Bogor, often called the “City of Rain,” which sits at the foothills of Mount Salak and is surrounded by lush tropical forests. Its year-round humid climate, high rainfall, and fertile volcanic soils make it one of the most biodiverse landscapes on the island of Java. The city is home to the world-renowned Bogor Botanical Gardens, founded in 1817, which today remain a centre for plant research, conservation, and education.

The group’s first stop was to visit Taman Safari, where they discussed approaches to ex situ conservation and wildlife genetic conservation. Discussions emphasized on the role of wildlife parks and genetic conservation programs in supporting national and global biodiversity goals, and on their contributions to research, education, and the maintenance of the genetic diversity of threatened species.

The next morning, the 30th of September, the group convened at Bogor Botanical Gardens or Kebun Raya Bogor, by its name in Indonesian, to explore plant conservation and the management of living collections of flora, including the importance of inventories, laboratories, DNA and seed banks, and genome mapping in sustaining biodiversity, as well as the role of open-access databases for transparency and international collaboration. Brazil showcased its JABOT system, an open-access flora database linking herbaria across the country.

In the afternoon, the group continued to Bogor’s Animalarium, where discussions turned to fauna conservation, genetic repositories, and biodiversity education, underscoring how public awareness and inclusion are central to long-term protection efforts. All three delegations reaffirmed that education and social valorization of biodiversity are key to fostering sustained public engagement. Against the vibrant backdrop of Bogor’s tropical ecosystem, delegates reaffirmed their collective commitment to collaborative conservation and global biodiversity stewardship.

Back in the capital of Jakarta, day three of the study trip allowed each country to share specifics on its biodiversity context.

• Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan) opened the day with remarks highlighting its forest diversity and showcasing its 2025–2045 Biodiversity Strategy.
• Later, they continued by sharing about Indonesia’s Environment Fund (IEF/BPDLH) as a central hub for blended biodiversity and climate finance, alongside tools like smart patrols and its CDAC management system.
• Brazil shared about its context, including sustainable forest concessions, large-scale mapping through its national forest registry (SNIF), restoration-linked ecological credits, and strong Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) frameworks that ensure equitable use of genetic resources.
• The DRC underscored progress in community forestry, REDD+ expansion, and new Indigenous Peoples legislation formalizing FPIC and OECMs, while facing persistent challenges of deforestation, governance, and conflict.

Common themes across countries centred on scaling restoration financing, enhancing data systems, recognizing Indigenous Peoples and local governance, and advancing South-South cooperation. Throughout the day, meals became moments of connection and reflection: Indonesia’s food culture offered a living example of how biodiversity sustains communities and nourishes traditions.

On the 2nd of October, the group met at the Ministry of Environment in Jakarta, to engage with the power of subnational plans and actions. Within this context, Indonesian ministry leaders shared the case study of East Kalimantan, which resulted in a dramatic reduction in deforestation rates. The day focused on subnational action as an essential way to translate global biodiversity targets into concrete action.

On day 5 of the journey, the group arrived in East Nusa Tenggara Province to continue discussions focused on provincial and ecoregion biodiversity actions within the context of Indonesia’s southernmost province. East Nusa Tenggara, the eastern portion of the Lesser Sunda Islands, is renowned for its natural environment, including Komodo National Park.

The day’s sessions were opened by the Director of Environment (Bappenas) and representatives of the Ministry of Planning (Bapperida), who collectively emphasized collaboration and coherence across ministries, provinces, communities, and international partners to strengthen delivery, data consistency, and governance. Speakers showcased how biodiversity is now integral to Indonesia’s National Development Plan (2025–2029), linking conservation to livelihoods, social forestry, and community well-being. They also highlighted Indonesia’s NBSAP 2025–2045 and the nation’s 2021–2023 decree to mainstream biodiversity across national and subnational levels. Delegations shared case study examples of integrated biodiversity action, including:

• East Nusa Tenggara’s “One Forest, One Product” initiative
• Komodo National Park’s community-based tourism and restoration programs
• The island of Flores’ project on threatened species and OECM governance models.
•  The DRC’s new legal recognition of Indigenous and community-managed areas (ICCAs)
• Brazil’s lessons on protected areas, fire management, and OECM regulation.

Afternoon sessions explored data governance systems like the “One Map, One Data” policy, EVIKA MPA monitoring, and SIDAKO conservation databases. These databases demonstrate how open-access platforms can enhance accountability and interoperability. Cross-cutting themes included the alignment of biodiversity and development planning, Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), and finance tied to measurable results. The day concluded with a shared vision of community-centred governance, digital transparency, and trilateral cooperation among Indonesia, Brazil, and the DRC.

On October 4th, the final day of the trip, delegates participated in immersive field trips to the Komodo and Flores Islands to witness biodiversity management in action. At Komodo National Park, a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, the delegations observed integrated approaches to marine and terrestrial conservation, including community ranger programs, sustainable tourism models, and coral restoration initiatives that balance ecological protection with local livelihoods.

In Flores, participants engaged directly with community members managing forests and natural resources, discussing strategies to curb illegal logging, strengthen local leadership, and develop sustainable economic opportunities. The exchange underscored the practical value of South-South exchanges and field visits, with Indonesian local community leaders expressing enthusiasm to learn from Brazil and the DRC’s experiences in community-based monitoring and governance.

The day concluded with a reflective roundtable aboard the return boat, led by GIZ, where participants emphasized turning shared lessons into concrete actions under the Trilateral Cooperation on Tropical Forests. The session highlighted the role of the GIZ Global Project on GBF Implementation as part of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership and the continued support of Norway and BMZ in fostering peer learning and accelerating progress toward NBSAP and Global Biodiversity Framework goals.

The Indonesia study trip closed with a shared sense of purpose and renewed commitment to turning dialogue into action. Across the week, participants from Indonesia, Brazil, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo found common ground in themes that they hope will define the future of global biodiversity cooperation. These include fair and transparent Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), interoperable data systems, community-centred biodiversity governance, and climate resilience. The exchanges underscored that effective biodiversity management depends on both robust institutions and empowered local communities.

As the delegations departed Komodo and Flores, the spirit of collaboration remained strong. The trip marked not an end, but the beginning of a new phase in trilateral cooperation anchored in mutual learning, South–South solidarity, and a collective drive to operationalize the Global Biodiversity Framework.

The study trip and knowledge exchange was organized by the GIZ Global Project: Strengthening National Implementation of Global Biodiversity Targets with representatives from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Indonesia. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), under the umbrella of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, the GIZ Global Project supports strategic efforts to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is co-hosted by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).