Belem, Brazil, Nov. 19 -- Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo have launched the International Tropical Peatland Center (ITPC) to strengthen global cooperation on restoring and sustainably managing tropical peatlands, among the world's largest natural carbon stores.

"We jointly issued a statement on the operationalization of the International Tropical Peatland Center. Together with the Republic of Congo and the DRC, we will operate the ITPC, with its temporary secretariat in Jakarta," Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said.

He delivered the statement during the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, on Tuesday, November 18, underscoring Indonesia's push to accelerate joint a...