Indonesia Eligible for Tropical Forest Conservation Act

July 03, 2007

Bahasa Indonesia

In response to the Indonesian Government’s request, the United States Government is pleased to announce that Indonesia is eligible to participate in a debt-for-nature program to finance tropical forest conservation. Under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA), a portion of Indonesia’s eligible debt may be reduced and re-directed toward tropical forest conservation.

“This is good news,” said Minister of Forestry M.S. Kaban, SE, MSi, in a meeting with representatives from the U.S. Embassy today.

The U.S. Treasury Department will provide a provisional allocation of $19.6 million for the treatment of eligible debt. Initial discussions toward an agreement are expected to begin in the coming weeks. Once concluded, Indonesia’s will be one of the largest programs under the TFCA

To date, 11 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America have entered into debt-for-nature agreements under the TFCA. These agreements will generate more than $135 million to conserve important tropical forests in these countries over the course of 10 to 25 years. In the future, the program may be expanded to include coral reefs, often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea.”

Indonesia’s forests are recognized as some of the most significant and biologically diverse in the world. The U.S. Government welcomes Indonesia’s participation in this important program.  

Media inquiries should please be directed to the U.S Embassy Press Office, Phone (021) 3435-9566, Fax (021) 381-0243.

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