The Faculty of Geography at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Geography UGM) has been appointed as the lead partner and regional coordinator for the development of blue carbon profiles for seagrass and peatland ecosystems in the ASEAN region and Timor Leste.
This appointment was announced during the launch event of the ASEAN Blue Carbon and Finance Profiling (ABCF) Project, held at the Tribrata Darmawangsa Hotel in South Jakarta on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
With this assignment, Geography UGM is expected to continue advancing the commitment of Southeast Asian countries in strengthening international collaboration in the fields of climate change and the blue economy.
The process of developing these profiles is coordinated by Professor Pramaditya Wicaksono from Geography UGM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG).
Experts from each ASEAN member country and Timor-Leste will also be involved in this effort.
Professor Wicaksono explained that the role of coordinator for the development of blue carbon and peatland profiles would open opportunities for UGM to expand its network of experts and practitioners in the regional blue carbon sector.
This collaboration will facilitate knowledge exchange and foster sustainable partnerships to support shared agendas beyond the project.
“This collaboration allows us to build a solid information base regarding the condition and availability of blue carbon ecosystem data in the region. These profiles not only provide an initial overview of existing conditions, but also serve as a crucial foundation for identifying data gaps and technical needs that still need to be addressed,” the professor said.
Dr. Erlis Saputra, Vice-Dean for Education, Teaching, and Student Affairs at Geography UGM, welcomed this appointment.
He hopes that this responsibility will encourage research and the development of knowledge related to blue carbon ecosystems, particularly seagrass and mangrove forests.
Dr. Saputra emphasized that UGM’s active participation in this project reflects the institution’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributing to the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, strengthening climate action, and the development of an inclusive, science-based blue economy.
The ASEAN Blue Economy Framework (ABCF) Project aims to enhance the technical capacity of ASEAN countries in managing blue carbon ecosystems, exploring innovative financing mechanisms, and integrating blue carbon strategies into sustainable development planning at both the national and regional levels.
This initiative, spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Indonesia, is supported by the Government of Japan and coordinated by the ASEAN Coordinating Task Force on Blue Economy.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna