This is the second webinar in a dedicated series exploring the impacts of the rapid expansion of Indonesia’s Food Estates strategy in Merauke, West Papua, Indonesia. It will focus on the threats to Indigenous Peoples rights, biodiversity and the environment. The Food Estate strategy involves large scale deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Promoted as necessary for national food security, it conflicts with Indonesia’s international commitments on climate change, biodiversity and human rights – and international standards on Free, Prior and Informed Consent. The impacts of deforestation extend beyond Indonesia’s borders; with predictions it will accelerate global climate heating. Concerns have been raised by local communities, national and international NGO’s and UN human rights experts.
