The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian Defense University’s (UNHAN) research center of energy security on May 19, 2021, in Bogor, West Java, for research collaborations in topics related to energy resilience, climate change and ecological restoration.
The MoU was signed by Dr Robert Nasi, CIFOR Director General and Dr Amarulla Octavian, UNHAN Rector. Under the agreement, both parties agree to conduct joint action research on the topics related to land and environment such as, restoration of degraded land through bioenergy plantations, climate smart agroforestry, climate change and sustainable land, climate change, as well as cooperation in publishing study and research results.
“It’s a win-win solution for people and planet – growing biomass energy on degraded and underutilized land is certainly a better land use strategy, considering its potential to enhance soil fertility, improve farm production and income, biodiversity, while supporting climate and sustainable development goals,” said Nasi.
Meanwhile, CIFOR Senior Scientist Himlal Baral, Ph.D, explained that UNHAN and CIFOR aimed to scale up and expand CIFOR’s work on landscape restoration and bioenergy into transboundary areas and remote and isolated locations in Indonesia, particularly in the eastern part of Indonesia.
“UNHAN’s goals are in-line with CIFOR’s priority to explore potential bioenergy production on degraded land in Indonesia, which aims to support scientific gap on potential species for biomass and bioenergy as well as socio-economic and environmental benefits of restoring degraded land,” said Baral.
Adding that the center was also exploring potential bioenergy production on degraded land in the eastern part of Indonesia.
“The Indonesian Defense University center was originally established to teach expertise in the fields of knowledge vital for Indonesia’s defense,” said Dr. Ir. Donny Yoesgiantoro, M.M., M.P.A, Head of the UNHAN’s Center for Energy Security Studies.
Donny went on to say that over time, the institute offered courses related to peaceful activities, including humanitarian assistance and international peacekeeping operations as well as a course on Indonesia’s political system and defense policy that features diplomatic strategy and issues related to energy resilience.
“Through this collaboration with CIFOR, we wished to foster scientific understanding practical knowledge on land use management all over Indonesia especially in restoration of degraded lands and deforested areas,” Yoesgiantoro said.
Adding that the university was also ready to support CIFOR’s restoration projects, particularly in remote and border areas of Indonesia.
Contact:
- Himlal Baral
Senior Scientist
Center for International Forestry Research
Email: h.baral@cgiar.org - Donny Yoesgiantoro
Chairman of Energy Security Research Center
Indonesia Defence University (UNHAN)
Email: energyprogram@gmail.com
