Clean Rivers, the global non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming river systems into catalysts for sustainable development, has signed a financial agreement to fund the creation of Indonesia’s first regency-wide integrated waste management system in Banyuwangi, East-Java.
Under the agreement with Project STOP, an joint initiative by Borealis and Systemiq, Clean Rivers will fund the third phase expansion of Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau programme which includes waste management infrastructure development, plastic recycling, organics management, behaviour change and capacity-building.
The Banyuwangi regency-level expansion will reduce waste leakage into river systems and marine environments by providing more than 850,000 people with access to sustainable waste management. It will also create up to 1,000 new jobs in Indonesia’s waste management sector.
Held at World Government Summit 2025, the signing ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, H.E. Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and H.E. Dr. Nani Hendiarti, Indonesian Deputy Minister for Food Affordability. The agreement was signed by H.E. Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Managing Director at Clean Rivers, Deborah Backus, CEO of Clean Rivers, Thomas Boesen, Vice President – Middle East and Asia at Borealis and Benjamin Dixon, Partner and Head of Materials and Circular Economy at Systemiq.
H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “”This partnership between the UAE and Indonesia exemplifies our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development, demonstrating how nations can work together to create lasting positive impact. Through Clean Rivers’ collaboration with Project STOP in Banyuwangi, we are not just addressing waste management – we are creating green jobs, empowering communities, and proving that environmental solutions can drive economic growth.”
H.E. Dr. Ibu Nani Hendiarti, Deputy Minister for Food Affordability and Security, Indonesia Coordinating Ministry of Food Affairs, said: “The immense scope of the plastic pollution challenge calls for multilevel cooperation to drive impactful change and preserve our natural ecosystems for future generations. We welcome this partnership between Project STOP and UAE-based Clean Rivers to expand sustainable integrated waste management systems across the Banyuwangi Regency, which showcases how local and global actors can come together to deliver whole-of-society solutions for nature, lives and livelihoods.”
H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Khalaf Al Qubaisi, Managing Director of Clean Rivers, said: “Guided by the UAE’s water agenda and global environmental goals, Clean Rivers is honoured to partner with the government of Indonesia on this transformative project in Banyuwangi. Water is one of the world’s most precious resources, and we are committed to funding work that helps catalyse circularity and create sustainable, long-term innovations that allow materials to be recycled and reused. We hope that creating the first regency-wide circular waste management system in Indonesia will inspire other regions to follow suit, and that it will improve the lives of thousands of families who depend on rivers as a vital lifeline.”
Deborah Backus, CEO of Clean Rivers, said: “This agreement underscores the power of partnership through the UAE’s and Indonesia’s shared vision to tackle riverine pollution and unlock socio-economic growth opportunities through circular economies. Clean Rivers supports initiatives that contribute to systemic change with lasting environmental and social impact through close collaboration with local governments and organizations. This partnership with Project STOP builds on our broader commitment to finance scalable solutions that restore and protect rivers while empowering local communities.”
Markus Horcher, Chair of the Project STOP Steering Committee, stated, “We are honored to welcome Clean Rivers as our Scale-Up partner and funder for the Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau. Collaboration remains key in addressing the complex issue of marine littering. We are grateful for Clean Rivers’ deep-seated commitment to partner with the Indonesian government, the communities and us to achieve our common ambitious goals of Project STOP in Indonesia.”
The project strengthens the ongoing collaboration between the UAE and Indonesia, while reinforcing the UAE’s clean water agenda, environmental goals and international philanthropic efforts.
Operating as a portfolio entity under Erth Zayed Philanthropies, Clean Rivers’ funding contributions are part of the UAE’s US$20 million commitment to Indonesia for waste management and clean-up projects. Last year, Clean Rivers also partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address Indonesia’s riverine pollution together with local organizations.