ADB & Indonesia Introduce Biodiversity Master Plan for Nusantara

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Indonesia introduced the Biodiversity Master Plan for the new capital city, Nusantara. The master plan guides the Nusantara Capital Authority (NCA) in setting out the policy direction, programs, and targets for protecting biodiversity over the next 5 years.

Kalimantan Island, where Nusantara is located, is one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots with high levels of diversity and endemicity. The island has at least 3,800 species of flora and fauna within 50 kilometers of where the new capital is situated.

The master plan outlines measures such as habitat preservation, species protection, restoration efforts, and community engagement to promote sustainable management practices. It also aims to address threats to biodiversity, mitigate impacts, and strengthen resilience in ecosystems, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the environment.

“ADB is pleased to partner with the NCA in developing this Biodiversity Master Plan," said ADB Deputy Country Director for Indonesia Renadi Budiman. “We commend Nusantara’s vision of becoming a sustainable forest city that lives in harmony with nature. This master plan complements earlier support by ADB for the development of a Net Zero Strategy launched in 2023 and a strategy on Nusantara’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals launched in February 2024.”

“The Master Plan underscores our commitment to protecting and managing biodiversity, contributing to global conservation efforts and achieving a nature-positive condition by 2030,” said NCA Chairman Bambang Susantono. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all parties involved, especially the ADB and the Australian government, for their invaluable support in this endeavor.”

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has provided financial support, which is managed by ADB, for the development of the Biodiversity Master Plan.

The NCA was established in March 2022 and is a ministerial-level agency that reports directly to the Indonesian President. The authority is responsible for planning and constructing the new capital, overseeing the government’s transition to the new city, and eventually becoming its manager.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.