Korindo Foundation took part in the Plant Our Planet campaign held in honor of Indonesia-Korea’s 50th year of diplomatic relations
PONDOK RAJEG – On Thursday (6/15), the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Indonesia launched a forest-building campaign called “Plant Our Planet” (POP) with the help of the Korea-Indonesia Forest Cooperation Center (KIFC) and the Bogor Regency government. This initiative was sponsored by the Korindo Foundation.
POP was held to celebrate South Korea and Indonesia’s 50th year of diplomatic ties. “I hope programs as useful as this continue for the rest of the year, in honor of our nations’ fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations. We’ll also stand ready to help if the need arises,” said the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Indonesia, Lee Sang Deok.
The core concept of Plant Our Planet is “bridging the real and the virtual”, where every tree planted in the Metaverse game platform Play Together will have a real-life counterpart. Until May 14, 340,000 trees had been set in cybersoil by Indonesian players.
Addressing real climate change has become a part of South Korea’s agenda from year to year, making this campaign a way to raise global awareness and reiterate the necessity of international solidarity in combating issues spurred by the climate crisis.
Present at the launch were the ambassador, Korindo Foundation chairman Robert Seung, Director General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation (Environment and Forestry Ministry) Ir. Dyah Murtiningsih, acting Bogor regent Iwan Setiawan, Director General of Multilateral Cooperation (Foreign Affairs Ministry) Tri Tharyat, and other government officials.
It kicked off with a symbolic planting ceremony, where 50 saplings were installed on a plot of land in Bogor Regency (West Java)’s Pondok Rajeg. The site is to function as an urban forest housing 500 trees.
“Bogor Regency acts as a satellite region for Jakarta, and holds a strategic role in its metropolitan area [Jabodetabek] as a residential center, water control authority, and farmland provider. For these reasons, we [Bogor Regency government] plan to build one City Forest [urban forest] per year. This one in Pondok Rajeg is our strategic program,” said Bogor regent Iwan Setiawan.
Plant Our Planet aims to raise global awareness and reiterate the necessity of international solidarity in combating issues spurred by the climate crisis.
The chosen lot has a distinctive quality to it — it was a landfill that had been cleared up and transformed into a suitable location for a wooded area, thanks to Korindo Foundation’s corporate social responsibility program or CSC (Corporate Social Contribution).
“Today, we’re all going to plant in a place that went against all the standards for a healthy, fertile land. Each tree will create a carbon sink and provide a green, lush spot. Together, they can greatly benefit the environment and the people around them,” said Robert Seung.
Following the symbolic ceremony, the Embassy, KIFC, and Foundation will plant the rest of the trees and monitor the growth as their contribution to the greening movement.
Plant Our Planet echoes the environmental commitment of Korindo Foundation, which undertook a similar urban forest project in Pakansari. The management of the forest was handed over to the Bogor Regency on February 3, 2023, after three long years of planting and maintenance.
“We, the Korindo Foundation, will continue to expand our green collaboration program with the Embassy and Bogor Regency for the sake of POP’s success. For that, we ask for your support and cooperation,” Seung ended his speech. (PR)
