A
What happened
On November 4, 2025, Indonesia's government pledged to recognize 1.4 million hectares of Indigenous and customary forests by 2029, a move intended to combat deforestation and bolster Indigenous rights. Despite this announcement, many activists are skeptical, pointing to a history of unfulfilled commitments and bureaucratic hurdles that have hindered the recognition of Indigenous land rights. Currently, less than 2% of mapped customary forests have been officially recognized, and ongoing land grabs for extractive projects continue to threaten Indigenous communities. Critics argue that without substantial legal reforms and genuine action, this latest pledge may merely serve as a symbolic gesture rather than a transformative step towards protecting Indigenous rights and forests.
★
Key insights
-
1
Historical unfulfilled promises
Activists highlight a pattern of unfulfilled government commitments regarding Indigenous land rights.
-
2
Ongoing land conflicts
State-backed development projects continue to encroach on Indigenous territories, exacerbating land disputes.
-
3
Need for legal reforms
Advocates call for urgent legal reforms to simplify the recognition process for Indigenous land rights.
Takeaways
The Indonesian government's new pledge to recognize Indigenous forests faces significant skepticism due to a history of unfulfilled promises and ongoing conflicts. Without meaningful legal reforms and genuine commitment, this initiative risks being another missed opportunity for Indigenous rights.