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The business forum highlights emerging landscapes, regenerative land-use practices, eco-processing innovations, and biodiversity-driven enterprises. Local governments are fostering investment-friendly ecosystems with blended financing and business incentives to support long-term, scalable models. The forum connects investors, banks, and policymakers with local leaders, offering early-mover advantages, co-development opportunities, and access to de-risked, sustainable business ventures. Participants will explore ways to integrate technology and traditional wisdom, supporting both economic growth and environmental stewardship.

【Reflection】
This programme introduced sustainable development initiatives being implemented at the local level by the Lingkar Tem Kabupaten Lestari (LTKL), under the support of the Indonesian government. The session, held at the Indonesia Pavilion, brought together a wide range of stakeholders both on-site and online, including government officials, businesses, civil society organisations, and young people, to discuss new models of local economies that balance environmental conservation with economic development.

LTKL is a network of local governments committed to improving the welfare of local communities while protecting forests and ecosystems by 2030. The session highlighted challenges facing Indonesia, such as forest fires, dependence on mining, and the ageing agricultural population, emphasising the importance of shifting from an “extractive” economy to a “restorative” one.

Case studies demonstrated that, even in regions prone to natural disasters, the practice of agroforestry—combining forestry and agriculture—contributes to both environmental preservation and improved livelihoods. Agroforestry maintains forests while cultivating diverse crops, conserving soil and water resources, and providing multiple sources of income.

The session also showcased youth-led local entrepreneurship and private sector initiatives to build agroforestry-based supply chains, highlighting the engagement of the next generation of talent and enterprises. These efforts have drawn attention from participants and domestic and international stakeholders as a means to foster self-reliant regional economic development.

Additionally, reports on international market demand were presented, indicating growing interest in environmentally conscious products with high cultural value in countries including Japan. The forum served as a practical platform for demonstrating ways to realise a restorative economy through the collective efforts of local communities.


【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Following the session, local governments across Indonesia have been advancing concrete models of regional development that balance environmental protection with economic growth. Networks such as LTKL are expanding initiatives to build “sustainable regency models” that leverage local natural resources and cultural assets, with efforts already beginning to be replicated in other regions. Moving forward, municipalities aim to improve investment environments and strengthen collaboration with domestic and international businesses and financial institutions to foster long-term, effective regional economies.

The participation of local youth and residents remains a key factor. Initiatives such as start-up support in agriculture, forestry, and tourism, product development using local resources, and the promotion of eco-tourism are accelerating across various regions. These initiatives have attracted attention from both domestic and international stakeholders as ways to generate new employment while preserving local culture and the environment.

On the business side, companies are increasingly adopting models centred on environmental restoration. A restorative economy refers to an economic model that aims for growth while regenerating and repairing nature, rather than merely consuming natural resources. This approach goes beyond conventional sustainability measures, advancing towards enriching the natural environment itself.

Furthermore, collaboration with international markets is expanding, with exports of sustainable materials and products on the rise. Partnerships with overseas buyers are increasing recognition of local brands and supporting regional economic self-reliance. The Indonesian government views this “economy growing with nature” as a promising new development model for the wider Asian region.


*Part or all of this report was generated by AI.