Minister Solheim was one of the keynote speakers at the conference “Forest Indonesia – Alternative futures to meet demands for food, fibre, fuel and REDD”, hosted by CIFOR and supported by the Norwegian Embassy. The Minister applauded in his intervention the personal commitment and leadership role of President Yudhoyono , calling him “one of the foremost statesmen leading the international fight to combat climate change” Solheim said that Norway highly appreciates our partnership with Indonesia on REDD+, is well aware of the challenges and is in it as a partner for the long run. Solheim strongly encouraged other countries to support the work Indonesia now is doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development.
Photo: Elisabeth Brinch Sand
The Forests Indonesia conference was opened by President Yudhoyono. In his speech the President stressed his commitment to REDD+ and stated that he will dedicate the last three years of his term as President to deliver results that will sustain the forests of Indonesia. He furthermore stated that “...if it weren’t for the benefits that our forests provide, then our way of life, our people, our economy, our environment and our society would be so much poorer. Our success in managing our forests will determine our future and the opportunities that will be available to our children. We must change the way we treat our forests so that they are conserved even as we drive hard to accelerate our economic growth”.
Before the opening of the conference, Minister Solheim’s had a courtesy call on President Yudhoyono, which also gave an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations, and particularly the Norwegian-Indonesian climate change partnership on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD).
Photo: Elisabeth Brinch Sand
Minister Solheim also had separate meetings with the leader of Indonesia’s new REDD+ Task Force, Minister Kuntoro Mangkusubroto and its secretary Mr. Agus Purnomo, Minister of Forestry, Mr. Zulkifli Hasan, and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Hatta Rajasa. While in Jakarta Solheim had dinner with representatives from the civil society, and lunch with representatives from the forest and palm oil industry as well as the Ambassadors from Australia, European Union, United Kingdom and the United States, to seek their opinion about the REDD+ process and opportunities for partnerships with private sector, civil society, government and other international donors.
Minister Solheim also took part in the official opening of the exhibition “Polar Norway – the white adventure” together with Minister of Education, Mr. Mohammad Nuh, at the University of Indonesia. The exhibit is arranged by the University’s Climate Centre and the Embassy, in cooperation with the Polar Institute in Norway. In his opening address he Solheim talked about the global challenges of climate change and the vulnerability of both the arctic and tropical environments. During the meeting with Minister Nuh, Solheim discussed bilateral scientific cooperation and educational exchanges, also well as education about climate change and the environment in Indonesian schools.
In Kalimantan, Minister Solheim explored the peat forest in Katingan and learned how degraded peat is being restored by the company PT. Rimba Makmur Utama, which works together with local communities and NGOs. The joint Norway – UK field visit also gave opportunities to watch orangutans and see local rattan production. Minister Solheim and Minister of State, Jim Paice, also met with the Governor of Kalimantan, H.E.Teras Narang, as well as with local community leaders and NGO’s.