CEO CARE Indonesia, Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang, became one of the speakers at the High-level Discussion session on Tourism Policy on Circular Economy during the 37th Joint Commission Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP) and the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia (CSA) (16/4) at Hotel Mulia, Jakarta. The event was officially opened by the Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, and was attended by members and affiliate members of UN Tourism, as well as international and regional organizations, and global tourism experts.

CARE Indonesia shared its perspective on the importance of ensuring that circular economy practices support the empowerment and resilience of local communities, including women and children, in the development of investments in Indonesia’s tourism sector. In alignment with the Government of Indonesia’s programs in 11 Special Economic Zones, CARE Indonesia collaborates and supports such efforts—one example being the Women Mangrove Warrior program supported by Traveloka. This initiative highlights a successful case of ecosystem conservation through women’s empowerment, where one of the key outcomes was the establishment of microenterprises that produce eco-print batik using natural dyes derived from mangrove trees. CARE and Traveloka believe that the active participation of local communities, especially women’s groups, is crucial to strengthening communities and ensuring the successful implementation of a sustainable circular economy.