Participants at the event were other rainforest countries, potential donor countries and representatives from the private sector with interest in the REDD+ process.
“Since we signed the [REDD+] agreement in May 2010, more has been achieved than in the previous decade,” said Erik Solheim, Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development, also emphasizing that significant challenges remain.
The US lead climate change negotiator, Mr. Jonathan Pershing, stated that REDD+ is “one of the central solutions to the larger climate change problem. I think we stand with others in applauding the efforts that’s been made in Indonesia, and look forward to continue our work in partnering with you to the success of the program. The work that’s been initiated in Indonesia provides a global example and an experience that others can begin to consider and replicate".
Visits Indonesia next week
Indonesia has already introduced a two year moratorium on concessions in primary forest and peat land, and is now strengthening efforts to update and improve its maps of the areas covered by the moratorium decree.
Minister Solheim emphasized that “if we are to succeed in our efforts to protect Indonesia’s rainforests, we need good alliances between the public and the private sectors [and] we hope some of the world’s largest companies, who operate in or order products from the rainforests, are inspired to join our team.”
Minister Erik Solheim will be visiting Indonesia 26-28 September to have high-level political meetings in Jakarta and open the conference Forests Indonesia. He will also visit REDD+ projects in the rainforest of the Kalimantan Tengah province and meet with local officials and communities.