DANA and Ant International launch digital sustainability initiative for marine conservation in Indonesia

DANA and Ant International, together with Konservasi International, today unveiled the Ocean Buddy initiative, an interactive in-app mini programme to raise awareness and drive long-term public participation in marine conservation among DANA's 200 million users in Indonesia.

The launch was announced at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi.

Inspired by Ant Forest, a global pioneer for digitally-driven environmental advocacy, Ocean Buddy leverages gamification incentives and lively visual designs to enhance broad-based, long-term user participation in conservation efforts, specifically the protection of whale sharks along the southern coast of Java.

Innovation and collaboration for broad-based sustainability action

Ocean Buddy underlines DANA's ESG focus on building climate resilience for its business and the wider Indonesian community through proactive analysis and responsible action. As the world’s largest archipelagic state, Indonesia is home to the world’s largest whale shark population, a plankton-feeding species critical to maintain global ecological balance. According to Konservasi Indonesia, whale shark populations across the Indo-Pacific have declined by up to 63% over the last 75 years due to stranding and other threats.

The project is also the latest collaborative project under Programme Sirius, Ant International's flagship programme where 13 global e-wallet leaders, including DANA, join hands to make sustainability inclusive and accessible through digital innovation.

Ant International launched its new Sustainability Framework in June 2025, with a focus on collaborative sustainability, inclusion and trust initiatives across its payment and fintech business pillars. In 2024, Programme Sirius launched AquaViva at COP29, a global programme focused on scaling marine conservation through open collaboration.

Vince Iswara, CEO and co-founder of DANA Indonesia, said, “Environmental issues are becoming increasingly urgent. Now is the time for the fintech industry to play an active role in bringing forward technology that supports sustainability. Through the Ocean Buddy initiative, we want to prove that technological innovation is not only an engine for economic growth; it is also a powerful gateway to popular participation in protecting our marine and land ecosystems, to a sustainable as well as prosperous future for generations to come."

Leiming Chen, chief sustainability officer, Ant International, said: “Ant International's mission is to build inclusive, sustainable growth through innovation and open collaboration. We are thrilled to support industry leaders like DANA to achieve sustainability and growth goals for the world's diverse communities. Through co-building innovative solutions and learning from each other, together we will be able to build a greener and more prosperous future from local to global.”

“The presence of whale sharks is closely tied to the health of Indonesia’s oceans. Konservasi Indonesia supports DANA through the Ocean Buddy program by sharing scientific knowledge while encouraging people to realize that simple actions can make a real contribution. With collective awareness and cross-sector collaboration, we believe that efforts to protect the oceans can become stronger and more sustainable,” explained Tinton Galih Yudhianto, director of partnership and communications at Konservasi Indonesia.

Through Ocean Buddy’s cumulative-score ranking and an Impact Coins system, DANA users' everyday online activities are translated into offline conservation projects, including first response training for stranded marine mammals and the protection of whale shark habitats. All educational content under Ocean Buddy is verified by Konservasi Indonesia.

The partners plan to continue expanding Ocean Buddy's coverage and partnership circle, and evolve new features to drive nationwide conservation advocacy and action.

Re-disseminated by  Wealth and Society