Bridging Nations for a Greener Future: Indonesia–China South-South Exchange Sparks Momentum for Circular Economy and Green Finance
Jakarta & Bogor, 25–29 May 2025 — A new chapter in global cooperation unfolded in late May as Indonesia warmly welcomed a delegation from China for the Indonesia–China Bilateral Government-to-Government South-South Exchange on Green Finance and Circular Economy. Held across Jakarta and Bogor from 25 to 29 May 2025, this landmark exchange brought together policymakers, technical experts, and development partners in a shared mission: advancing inclusive, nature-positive, and climate-resilient development.
Organized by the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and UNDP Indonesia, with support from the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), and Sustainable Infrastructure Programme in Asia (SIPA), the exchange represented more than a dialogue—it was a celebration of collaboration, ambition, and shared responsibility among nations of the Global South.
One Vision, Two Nations: A Shared Commitment to Sustainability
The exchange opened with powerful messages of solidarity. Representatives from Bappenas and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment echoed a unified voice: achieving the Paris Agreement, Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires bold South-South collaboration.
Indonesia shared its pioneering work in biodiversity-linked Sukuk bonds, the development of its Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, and its circular economy roadmap covering key sectors such as food, textiles, construction, and electronics. China brought forward inspiring models of biodiversity tagging, eco-industrial parks, green technology financing, and biodiversity disclosures from its provinces and cities.
“This exchange is not just about policy sharing—it’s about building lasting partnerships grounded in shared purpose and practical solutions,” said Ms. Aretha Aprilia, Head of UNDP Indonesia’s Nature, Climate, and Energy Unit.
From Dialogue to Discovery: Learning by Seeing
Field visits were a highlight of the exchange, offering an opportunity to see policies come to life.
At Tempat Pengolahan Sampah Terpadu (TPST) Bantargebang-a waste treatment facility, delegates witnessed how Indonesia is transforming municipal waste into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), a true manifestation of circular economy principles. Visits to Manggarai and BNI City Train Stations, funded through Indonesia’s Green Sukuk (SBSN), showcased how Islamic finance is accelerating the country’s green infrastructure.
The exchange continued in Bogor Botanical Gardens, where participants reflected on nature-based solutions and biodiversity conservation in one of Indonesia’s most iconic green research hubs.
“These visits gave us inspiration and real context,” shared one Chinese delegate. “They show how innovation and commitment can go hand in hand with community and environmental impact.”
Seeds of Future Cooperation: What Comes Next
The exchange wasn’t the end—it was a beginning. A series of follow-up collaborations were identified, including:
- Joint development of green and biodiversity finance instruments
- Peer-to-peer learning and technology exchanges
- Sharing replicable models with other PAGE, BIOFIN, and SIPA countries and beyond
A follow-up exchange is now being prepared for July 2025 in Guixiao and Shanghai, deepening the policy and technical dialogue on green finance, circular economy, and inclusive innovation.
