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Jikalahari Critiques The April Group's Speech At COP29 In Azerbaijan

During the CEO Dialogue session at the Indonesian Pavilion at the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 11, the pulp and paper producer April Group presented a statement regarding its commitment to sustainable forest management through investments in nature via a production-protection approach.

"In the HTI concessions we manage, we also conserve natural forests. This is what we refer to as production-protection. Through this approach, the HTI areas managed by April serve as a safeguard for natural forests," stated Sihol Aritonang, the President Director of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper, a subsidiary of April Group, while addressing the audience at the Indonesian Pavilion during COP29.

Okto Yugo Setiyo, the Coordinator of the Riau Forest Rescue Network (Jikalahari), expressed concerns regarding discrepancies in April Group's statements. Firstly, Okto noted that April Group has been implicated in forestry corruption, where 16 corporations affiliated with the group bribed Riau Governor Rusli Zainal, Siak Regent Arwin As, Pelalawan Regent Tengku Azmun Jaffar, and three heads of the Riau Forestry Department.

"April Group bribed convicted individuals to obtain IUPHHK-HT and RKT permits for the period of 2002 to 2009 over natural forests that should not have been permitted. As a result of these corrupt actions, many natural forests in Riau have been logged, with an estimated loss of natural forest value reaching Rp 2.5 trillion, causing economic damages to the state amounting to Rp 1.3 trillion," Okto stated, as quoted from an official Jikalahari release on Thursday, November 14, 2024.

Secondly, Okto highlighted the ecological loss of the ecosystems associated with 13 IUPHHKHT-RKT permits linked to April Group, attributed to former Kampar Regent and Riau Forestry Department Head Burhanuddin Husin. "Based on the examination of Burhanuddin Husin Mappi's ruling in 2012, Jikalahari found according to Professor Bambang Hero Saharjo's qualifications (a professor at IPB) a loss of Rp 687 trillion, which includes ecological damage, economic loss, and ecological recovery costs," he remarked.

In March 2024, Jikalahari reported that April Group, through its subsidiaries PT SAU and PT RAPP Estate Sungai Mandau, was involved in the illegal logging of natural forests, the creation of new canals, the destruction of peatland ecosystems with protective functions, and the unauthorized planting of acacia outside of its concessions.

"April Group has once again deceived the public at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference. April should feel ashamed to participate in such a conference, given its involvement in deforestation, forestry corruption, forest and land fires, and conflicts with local and indigenous communities," he stated.

Tag: Azerbaijan HTI UNFCCC COP29