By: Andhiani M. Kumalasari (Communication, Campaign, & Outreach Coordinator Papua Program)

WWF-Indonesia became one of the NGO representatives appointed by the Ministry of Forestry and Environment (MoEF) to present the social forestry program (Best Practices on Social Forestry) at COP (Conference of the Parties) 22 UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). The event was held in Bab Ighli, Marrakech, Morocco, on November 7-18, 2016 under the theme "Empowering Innovation and Enhancing Climate Change Actions for Sustainable Development."

Located in the Indonesia Pavilion Venue on (09/11/2016), in the CSO Forum session, WWF-Indonesia representatives, Piter Roki Aloisius and Alex Waisimon presented best practice programs related to "Forest Management Based on Indigenous Peoples in Papua Province" and "Development of Ecotourism Bird Watching". Besides WWF-Indonesia, there were also other speakers from AMAN (Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago) and Samdhana Institute.

In his presentation, Piter Roki Aloisius as the Coordinator of Sustainable Forest Management explained, "WWF-Indonesia Papua Program has been running a community forestry program since 2013. This program focuses on sustainable forest management efforts by involving the active role of indigenous peoples in relation to the special autonomy of the Papua Provincial government."

Alex Waisimon as one of the indigenous community representatives and WWF partners delivered material on sustainable forest management efforts through the development of ecotourism bird watching. Alex together with the community in Rhepang Muaif, Nimbokrang, Jayapura Regency, since 2014 has developed ecotourism activities bird watching, precisely in Isyo Hill, Rhepang Muaif. Many tourists, both domestic and foreign, have come to Isyo Hill to see various types of birds, especially birds of paradise.

The CSO Forum session was attended by 40 participants, including the Director General of Social Forestry and Environmental Partnership (Dirjen PSKL KLHK), officials of the Indonesian Embassy in Morocco, representatives of delegates from participating countries of UNFCCC COP 22, as well as representatives of local and international NGOs. In particular, the Director General of PSKL KLHK gave appreciation to WWF-Indonesia with the existence of the Community Forestry Program in Papua.

Furthermore, in a limited discussion with the Director General of PSKL KLHK, DR. Hadi Daryanto in the Indonesia Pavilion meeting room, it was agreed that the initiative to develop ecotourism bird watching in Rhepang Muaif and the Community Forestry Program in Papua could be directed to meet the target of 12.7 million hectares, KLHK Social Forestry Program. The Community Forestry Program is also technically in line with the principles of Community Forestry (HKM) in the Social Forestry Program initiated by MoEF based on Permen No. 88/2014. Especially for the management of ecotourism development areas bird watching will also be directed to become customary forests / forest rights whose management becomes the rights and authority of indigenous peoples or customary rights owners based on Permen No. 32/2014.

Piter Roki explained from the results of the discussion, WWF-Indonesia is very enthusiastic to continue to carry out indigenous community-based sustainable forest management programs in Papua, especially with the direct attention and support from the ministry. "This is one of the efforts to keep Papua's forests continue to exist for Indonesia and the world," he said.