Technical Exchange – West Kalimantan

The Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force (GCF Task Force) held a Technical Exchange hosted by the Government of West Kalimantan, Indonesia from September 7 – 10, 2026.* The theme, “Public – Private Collaboration in Conservation and Restoration,” highlights the need to involve the private sector in order to achieve meaningful conservation and restoration outcomes at the jurisdictional scale.

The private sector brings not only capital, but also supply chain influence, market access, and operational capacity that government agencies cannot replicate alone. This is where the concept of the New Forest Economy becomes a powerful frame: it envisions a future where standing forests and restored landscapes generate sustained economic value through sustainable commodities, ecosystem services, carbon markets, and nature-based enterprises, making conservation financially competitive with conversion. This vision is already taking shape within GCF Task Force member jurisdictions through concrete models; therefore, the New Forest Economy is not simply an environmental ambition, but an economic transformation – one that GCF Task Force members are actively building from the ground up.

The GCF Task Force Technical Exchange will be held alongside Festival Lestari #6 (Sustainable Festival #6), which is organized by Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari (Sustainable District Association; LTKL). Festival Lestari is a cross-sectoral forum to promote sustainable development by highlighting local wisdom.

Check back soon for a full report!

* Due to extensive fires throughout West Kalimantan, the Technical Exchange was moved to Bogor and Festival Lestari was postponed. The Technical Exchange was also delayed due to the Anak Krakatau eruption and subsequent flight disruptions. Dates in the agenda below reflect the actual meeting dates.