Indonesia Firmly Targets Zero Plastic Waste by 2029, Pushes for Global Plastics Agreement

Indonesia’s Commitment on the Global Stage

Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to being at the forefront of global efforts to end plastic pollution.

This message was delivered during the 5.2 Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-5.2) in Geneva, Switzerland, in mid-August 2025. Indonesia’s presence at the international forum was not only to strengthen its position in the negotiations for a Global Plastics Agreement but also to advance the national agenda toward sustainable waste management.

Why Is This Important?

Plastic pollution has become a serious threat to the environment, health, and the future of the global economy. Unfortunately, global negotiations have been slow. Therefore, Indonesia is pushing for fair, inclusive discussions that consider the conditions of all countries, especially developing nations that still need technological, financial, and investment support.

Indonesia’s Target: Zero Plastic Waste by 2029

Indonesia aims to ensure that 100% of waste, including plastic, is properly managed by 2029. This target is outlined in Presidential Regulation No. 12 of 2025 on the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

The steps taken include:

• Eliminating problematic plastics and hazardous chemicals.
• Reducing existing pollution.
• Preventing plastic leakage into the environment.

Producers Must Also Take Responsibility

In a dialogue with the Global Business Coalition involving more than 300 companies, Indonesia emphasized the importance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
This means that producers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including when those products become waste. In this way, the burden of waste management does not fall solely on the public or the government.

International Collaboration

Beyond global forums, Indonesia is also engaging in bilateral cooperation with:

• The United Kingdom: supporting biodiversity protection, flood prevention along the Ciliwung River, and funding to prevent plastic leakage into the ocean.
• The Netherlands: focusing on waste-to-energy management, sustainable product design, and research on environmentally friendly plastics.

Both countries have agreed to strengthen collaboration through international platforms such as the G20 and UNEA, as well as to accelerate the conclusion of the Global Plastics Agreement.

With or Without an Agreement, Indonesia Moves Forward

Although the INC-5.2 meeting ended without consensus, Indonesia reaffirmed its determination to move forward. “With or without an agreement, Indonesia will continue to take concrete steps to stop plastic pollution,” said Minister Hanif.

This aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to ensure that all waste is properly managed by 2029.

A Call to Action

Plastic pollution is a global issue, but its impacts are visible all around us: clogged rivers, polluted seas, and microplastics entering our food chain.
The government has taken action, and businesses are taking responsibility, now it is our turn as citizens. Let’s start with small steps: reduce single-use plastics, reuse what we can, and support local waste management initiatives.

Because the future of our planet is in all of our hands.