IRI Indonesia launches provincial chapter in Riau, with training event on forests for religious leaders

On 16 March, IRI Indonesia launched its first provincial chapter, IRI Riau. The launch – which was covered extensively in the media – was attended by representatives of all religious organizations in the country, indigenous peoples, local governments officials, police and military officers, NGOs and academics, and was officiated by the Governor or Riau who committed support to collaborate with IRI Riau, to create office space for the chapter, and to adopt several articles that IRI Indonesia put forward as part the Green Riau Provincial Regulation. Closing remarks were provided by Dr. Din Syamsuddin, chair of the IRI Indonesia Advisory Council.  Following the IRI Riau launch, a training was help for more than 30 religious leaders on forests, climate change and the rights of indigenous peoples. Plans are underway to launch IRI East Kalimantan with the participation of the Governor on 9 April and IRI Papua in June.