Conservation International’s Post

Precisely to restore and preserve coral reefs in what experts estimate is the ocean area with the greatest biodiversity in the world‼️

A landmark Debt-for-Nature agreement. On July 3, the United States & Indonesia agreed to US$35 million swop over the next nine years, in return for safeguarding the biodiversity of the most vibrant marine ecosystems in the Coral Triangle. The bilateral agreement is the fourth debt-for-nature redirection of funds since 2009, & expected to fund 15 years of conservation in the Bird Head’s Seascape and Lesser Sunda-Banda Sea. This is the first swop to focus on reefs rather than rainforests, which remain threatened by industry expansion, particularly palm oil plantations. This is a milestone, as reefs are harder to conserve at a national level as they are primarily threatened by planet-warming global greenhouse gas emissions which requires collective cross-border action. The bulk of debt will be written off under the US Tropical Forest & Coral Reef Conservation Act. Leading environmental NGOs, Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy are also contributing. The unlocking of funds will enable Indonesia to commit to national reef restoration, while local non-profit groups will use conservation funds to support in-field projects that directly benefit marine ecosystems, as well as foster sustainable livelihoods for local communities. #debtfornature #impactinvestment #conservation

Thrilled to see this moving forward. Congrats for both the U.S. and the Indonesian government to seal the deal! Respect for Conservation International / Konservasi Indonesia and The Nature Conservancy / Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara for their relentless support! And of course kudos for colleagues from the U.S. mission and USAID Indonesia in Jakarta (you know who you are 😉 ). With only a third of Indonesia’s reef in good/excellent condition (LIPI, 2019), the deal is an essential addition to Indonesia's effort to preserve one of the most important ecosystems on the planet.  Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act (TFCCA) means a win-win solution: (1) Debt redirection: It relieves certain official debt owed to the U.S government, meaning that the intended resources will remain in Indonesia, generating funds to support the coral reef conservation activities. (2) Leverages opportunities: as it offers third parties such as CI and TNC (in this deal) to provide their technical expertise and increases the amount of funds available to treat debt. (3) Here’s my favorite: It will strengthen civil society, local NGOs and communities, as the fund will provide grants to support and build grass-roots capacity to complement government sponsored activities. I’m hoping when this mechanism is being implemented, it will thoroughly learn and carry out the extensive experience of what has been done regarding the coral reef conservation in Indonesia. TFCAA should be able to maintain the spirit of “conservation financial breakthrough” that it brings, while keep asking the million dollar questions: “what it will do to deliver progress, not just programs?”

The government of Indonesia announced this week a deal to redirect more than US$ 35 million it owes to the United States into the conservation of coral reefs in the most biodiverse ocean area on Earth. The “debt-for-nature” swap will fund coral restoration in two key areas of the Pacific Ocean’s Coral Triangle — the Bird’s Head and Lesser Sunda-Banda seascapes, which encompass three-quarters of the world’s coral species and more than 3,000 types of fish, turtles, sharks, whales and dolphins, Marc Jones reported for Reuters. Debt-for-nature swaps aim to alleviate two problems for developing countries: heavy debt burdens and a lack of funding for conservation.

🪸Good news for coral reef conservation! 🪸   The United States and Indonesia have signed a USD$35 million debt-for-nature swap to protect Indonesia’s precious coral reefs. This agreement will redirect Indonesia’s debt into coral reef restoration and preservation over the next 9 years, focusing on the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse areas of the Ocean globally.    Key Highlights: ·      Debt Forgiveness: $26 million of Jakarta’s debt will be written off under the US Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act. ·       Ocean Focus: Efforts will target the Bird’s Head Seascape and Lesser Sunda-Banda Seascape, home to over 75% of coral species and more than 3,000 types of fish, turtles, sharks, whales and dolphins. 🐬 ·       Local Impact: Grants from the conservation fund will support projects benefiting coral reef ecosystems and supporting sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. 🙌 This initiative marks the 4th debt-for-nature swap between the US and Indonesia since 2009, collectively generating nearly USD$70 million in reef restoration efforts.    📖 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gBWuZBxN #DebtForNatureSwap #SustainableBlueEconomy #OceanResilience #CoastalCommunities #CoralReefConservation

🌏The Straits Times recently spotlighted another significant milestone in environmental conservation: The United States has agreed to a US$35 million debt swap with Indonesia over the next nine years in exchange for the Southeast Asian country's commitment to restore and preserve its coral reefs.    This monumental agreement marks a considerable step towards protecting one of the world’s most biodiverse oceanic regions 🌊, and is the fourth "debt-for-nature" swap struck by the two countries since 2009. It is also the first time this instrument has been used to support marine conservation specifically. The agreement will fund at least 15 years of conservation work in the Bird’s Head Seascape and Lesser Sunda-Banda Seascape, spanning hundreds of thousands of hectares and home to over three-quarters of all coral species and more than 3,000 types of marine life. 🪸   Initiatives like this debt-for-nature swap can enhance sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Together, we can work towards a future where reef (as well as terrestrial and coastal ecosystems) can thrive and a sustainable livelihood is possible for those that rely on them 💙   🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gjkQxax7   #SCeNeCoalition #Sustainability #Indonesia #Biodiversity #LocalCommunities #CoralReefs

ICYMI: This week, the government of Indonesia announced a landmark deal to redirect over $35 million of its debt to the U.S. into coral reef conservation within the Coral Triangle--home to three-quarters of the world's coral species. When Conservation International facilitated the first debt-for-nature swap in 1987, few could have imagined this mechanism's far-reaching impact. Nearly four decades later, it's unlocked billions of dollars for global conservation efforts. We commend the governments of Indonesia and the United States for their vision and commitment to marine conservation and are proud to contribute $3 million to support Indonesia’s debt swap. Let's keep working as a global community to find innovative finance solutions that protect nature and help us address the #climatecrisis at scale. https://lnkd.in/eAdp28Hv

United States and Indonesia Sign Landmark Debt-for-Nature Swap to Protect Coral Reef Ecosystems: US Embassy The United States, Indonesia, and leading environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) signed a groundbreaking debt-for-nature swap on July 3 to protect Indonesia’s precious coral reef ecosystems by redirecting $35 million of Indonesia’s debt into an investment in coral reef conservation. Indonesia is home to 16% of the world’s coral reef areas and approximately 60% of the world’s coral species. Coral reefs provide food, livelihoods, and storm protection for just under half of the world’s population, but approximately 75% of coral reefs worldwide are threatened. This debt-for-nature swap will redirect funds initially earmarked for debt repayment into initiatives to support coral reef ecosystem conservation. For the full statement: https://lnkd.in/g2tZG7bg

🌏🌊 **United States and Indonesia Sign Historic Debt-for-Nature Swap to Protect Coral Reefs!** 🌊🌏 On July 3rd, the U.S., Indonesia, and leading environmental NGOs sealed a groundbreaking $35 Million debt-for-nature swap, focusing on conserving Indonesia's stunning coral reef ecosystems. This historic agreement, part of the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act (TFCCA), marks the first dedicated to coral ecosystems, ensuring the preservation of some of the world's most vibrant marine life. 🐠🌿 Key signatories include U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Michael F. Kleine, Indonesia’s Director Generals of Marine Spatial and Ocean Management and Budget Financing, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara, Yayasan Konservasi Cakrawala Indonesia, Conservation International Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy. “This agreement highlights the strong U.S.-Indonesia partnership and our commitment to protecting Indonesia’s invaluable coral reefs and promoting sustainable development,” said CDA Kleine. 🤝🇺🇸🇮🇩 Indonesia's commitment to marine conservation shines as this agreement directs funds initially meant for debt repayment into coral reef conservation efforts. 🌺🏝️ Managing the funds is an Oversight Committee with representatives from both governments and NGO partners. Priority areas include Lesser-Sunda, Banda, and Bird’s Head Seascapes, focusing on protecting species, ecosystems, promoting sustainable use, and creating new protected areas. 🌿🐟 Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International, praised this innovative approach: “Today’s announcement marks a new milestone in marine conservation.” Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, added, “This initiative is crucial for preserving biodiversity and enhancing climate resilience.” 🌍🌱 This landmark agreement is a vital step towards safeguarding our planet’s marine treasures for future generations. 🌟 https://lnkd.in/dzYeYDhM #Conservation #DebtSwaps #MarineLife #CoralReefs #ClimateFinance #SustainableDevelopment #USIndonesiaPartnership 🌊🐠🌺

Love this. Thank you, Mongolia, for making land #conservation #biodiversity #climatechange a top priority. Protecting our natural resources must be a priority for all countries. This is invaluable #leadership, making Mongolia a roll model to share best practices. These are exciting times! Now, who will step up next? #letsgo ~ Rob 👊🌿🇲🇳 The facts — Mongolia's government and a coalition of partners have signed a nature finance agreement to protect 36 million acres (144,000 square km) of the country's lands and waters, including the world's last great tract of temperate grassland. Quote >> “The Nature Conservancy (and partners within Enduring Earth) expect to do around 20 (new nature finance projects) by 2030 in other locations — including Kenya and Gabon in Africa, in South and Central America, and in Canada. We hope this will be the first of many.” Two way street — What I love is that Mongolia has to do their part. A global donor fund worth $71 million will be combined with Mongolia’s commitment to spend $127 million on conservation over a 15-year period. Largest climate agreement — This will be one of the largest climate finance agreements in Asia to date, dramatically expanding Mongolia's National Protected Area network and providing a blueprint for other countries around the world. Worst climate change in the world — Mongolia’s temperatures have risen 2.25 degrees Celsius over the last 80 years — more than anywhere else on earth — and is experiencing more frequent and severe climate-induced disasters like harsh winters, droughts and dust storms. 🔥 Protecting grasslands — Mongolia’s grasslands store 15 million tonnes of carbon and are home to amazing wildlife — argali sheep, gazelles, endangered Saiga antelope — but they are one of the planet's most imperilled landscapes. Let’s charge mining companies — The new programme will set up "biodiversity offsets" - fees charged to the mining firms that exploit Mongolia's gold and other natural resources. The money raised can then fund conservation projects. Every stakeholder has their role! 💪 Jeffrey Parrish Ryan Demmy Bidwell Reuters Bat-Ulzii Bat-Erdene Patricia Zurita #mongolia #climatecrisis #grasslands #climatefinance Jan Wigsten Dr Gana Gantemur Damba