The first iteration of this instruction was issued in 2011 in order to implement commitments under the agreements in the Letter of Intent signed with the Kingdom of Norway in May 2011. The Instruction is intended to facilitate Indonesia's participation in internationally financed REDD activities and places a moratorium on clearance of primary peatland and forests within moratorium areas. The initial moratorium was extended by Presidential Instruction 6/2013. 

In 2019, President Joko Widodo signed Presidential Instruction 5/2019, making the moratorium on the clearance of primary forest and peatlands in moratorium areas permanent.