On January 22, 2025, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Riau, organised a significant stakeholder dialogue in collaboration with Petala Unggul Gesang, in Riau, Indonesia. The event brought together a diverse group of academics, business practitioners, NGOs, local governments, and media to discuss sustainable solutions for forest degradation and land rights. Central to the conversation was FSC’s Remedy Framework, a new solution facilitated by FSC that aims to restore ecosystems and support local communities. The implementation of the Remedy Framework also brings restitution for social harms caused by disassociated organizations to indigenous people and local forest-dwelling communities, referred to as rights holders. This process is rooted in consultative engagement with rights holders, ensuring the application of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). As outlined in the FSC Remedy Framework, this approach aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and emphasizes the establishment of effective grievance mechanisms to prevent future social and environmental harms.

Hartono Prabowo, Technical Director of FSC Indonesia, attended this dynamic dialogue, highlighting that while the Remedy Framework serves as a key starting point for mediation, its success will depend on the engagement and commitment of all stakeholders, especially the organizations implementing the Remedy Framework.

Key Takeaways

Pathway to Riau’s Vision: The Remedy Framework presents an opportunity to align the future of Riau with its vision of a sustainable, biodiverse province where strong community relations thrive.
Implementation Success Relies on Stakeholders: The framework’s effectiveness hinges on stakeholder commitment—it’s a tool, but its success depends on how communities and Remedy-implementing organizations work together.
Key Drivers for Success: Engaging marginalized groups, enhancing social welfare, and fostering collaboration across sectors are critical to addressing both environmental degradation and social harm.
Long-term Commitment: Achieving sustainability in Riau is a long-term goal, requiring sustained commitment from all stakeholders to turn vision into reality.