15 January 2026, Abu Dhabi  — The Mangrove Breakthrough kicked off 2026 with a major milestone, securing the endorsement from the Government of Indonesia, which is home to the largest extent of mangroves in the world, on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Indonesia hosts approximately 23% of the world’s mangrove reserves, an estimated 3.44 million hectares. With around 60% of the country’s population living in coastal areas and relying on these ecosystems for food security, livelihoods, and protection from storms and sea-level rise, mangroves play a vital ecological and economic role for frontline communities across Indonesia.

"The Indonesian government welcomes good intentions and endorses the Mangrove Breakthrough, which targets the protection and restoration of 15 million hectares of mangroves globally and the mobilization of USD 4 billion in funding by 2030,” stated  Zulkifli Hasan, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs. “Indonesia, with 3.44 million hectares of mangroves, therefore, appreciates the support pledged by the Mangrove Breakthrough."

“We support the Government of Indonesia’s endorsement of the Mangrove Breakthrough as a meaningful step toward scaling science- and community-based mangrove protection. Turning this commitment into impact will require strong local implementation, direct engagement of coastal communities, and sustained partnerships. Konservasi Indonesia stands ready to work with the government and local partners to deliver measurable ecological gains and sustainable economic benefits,” said Meizani Irmadhiany, Senior Vice President and Executive Chair, Konservasi Indonesia.

Konservasi Indonesia is a member of the Global Mangrove Alliance Indonesia Chapter, the main implementation partner of the Mangrove Breakthrough. 

Indonesia’s endorsement further strengthens the global momentum behind the Mangrove Breakthrough. Launched in 2022, the initiative aims to mobilize USD 4 billion to protect and restore 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030. The year 2026 marks a critical midpoint between the Breakthrough’s launch and its 2030 targets—with the implementation phase now fully underway.

To date, 48 national, state, and municipal governments have endorsed the Mangrove Breakthrough. In 2025 alone, 12 new governments joined the initiative, including the national governments of Brazil, Mexico, and Papua New Guinea—signaling growing political commitment across regions with significant mangrove coverage.

The endorsement builds on a momentous 2025 for the Mangrove Breakthrough, which also saw the announcement of the Mangrove Catalytic Facility, which serves as the Breakthrough’s engine for investment readiness. To date, the initiative has tracked more than 40 large-scale operations (over USD 1 million each) that have mobilized more than USD 750 million in mangrove-positive investments since 2020. Momentum continues to grow: partners at Capital for Climate have identified over USD 840 million in nature-positive investments across 56 projects that include mangrove ecosystems.

“With this news, Mangrove Breakthrough–endorsing countries are now home to more than 60% of the world’s mangrove extent,” said Jennifer Howard, Mangrove Breakthrough Council Chair and Vice President of Natural Climate Solutions at Conservation International. “Working with these countries, we are building the financial architecture and generating the political will needed to meet our collective 2030 targets.”

Indonesia’s endorsement underscores the country’s leadership in advancing nature-based solutions and sends a powerful signal ahead of key global climate and biodiversity milestones in 2026.

About the Mangrove Breakthrough

The Mangrove Breakthrough is pioneering how we, as a global network, protect nature to build resilient communities. It is a global movement to value, finance, and safeguard mangroves. The ambition is to mobilize USD 4 billion to protect and restore 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030, fostering radical collaboration, advancing science-based financial and regulatory decisions, and investing in local leadership.

The Breakthrough’s Secretariat (“the Hub”) drives this mission by sustaining multistakeholder partnerships and building the infrastructure for lasting impact. The Hub is legally hosted at the Chilean NGO Ambition Loop.

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