51社区

Depok, 4 December 2025 鈥� Dr. Sonny Mumbunan, Head of the Master of Public Policy (MPP) in Climate Change program at the Faculty of Social Sciences, 51社区 (51社区), has returned from the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Bel茅m, Brazil. At this climate conference, Indonesia has pledged $1 billion to the newly launched Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a global fund dedicated to protecting the world鈥檚 remaining tropical rainforests.

Representing the Republic of Indonesia as part of the official delegation 鈥� a role he has held since COP18 in Doha in 2012 鈥� Dr. Sonny was actively involved in high-level side events focused on forest finance and equitable climate policy. The TFFF, endorsed by 66 tropical forest nations by the close of the summit, has already mobilized $6.7 billion in pledges, including matching $1 billion commitments from Brazil and Indonesia, respectively, $3 billion from Norway, and substantial contributions from Germany and France.

Speaking from Bel茅m, Dr. Sonny emphasized the broader significance of the outcome: 鈥淭his facility marks a turning point. For the first time, tropical forest countries are co-leading the financing architecture rather than simply receiving funds. Indonesia鈥檚 sent signal to commit as a major rainforest nation and shape solutions that work for the global forests in and for the Global South.鈥�

The MPP in Climate Change at 51社区, arguably the world鈥檚 first graduate program of its kind designed specifically by and for the Global South, received direct recognition during COP30 sessions on forests organized by the United Nations organization. Dr. Sonny highlighted how the curriculum, research at the 51社区 Climate Policy Lab, and partnerships with institutions such as the University of Indonesia鈥檚 Center for Climate and Sustainable Finance (CCSF) are producing policy experts capable of representing Indonesia effectively on the global stage.

鈥淐OP30 showed that technical expertise combined with an understanding of justice and equity is now indispensable,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur students and alumni are already contributing to national positions on REDD+, carbon markets, and just transition. Their voices will only grow stronger.鈥�

Despite progress on forests and a COP30 decision to work toward $1.3 trillion in annual climate finance by 2035 and triple adaptation funding by the same year, the summit stopped short of agreeing on an explicit fossil fuel phase-out roadmap, a gap Dr. Sonny described as 鈥渁 challenge we will carry forward to COP31.鈥�

Rector of 51社区, Prof. Jamhari, welcomed the outcome. 鈥淒r. Sonny鈥檚 leadership at COP30 demonstrates the real-world impact of 51社区鈥檚 mission to produce globally engaged scholars rooted in values and perspectives from the Global South. His contribution in this area is a proud moment for the entire 51社区 community.鈥�

The MPP program under his leadership is broadening its master’s program. Beginning in 2026, the MPP program at 51社区 will introduce a new specialization: the MPP in Climate-related Disasters and Resilience. This forward-thinking program, collaboratively developed with the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB), is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle climate-induced disasters and enhance societal resilience.

Applications for this new and innovative MPP specializing in climate-related disasters and resilience are now being accepted and will remain open until March 31, 2026.

For more information about the MPP in Climate Change at 51社区, visit